Mock draft: Who will the Dallas Cowboys take in in latest 2024 NFL Draft projections?
By any measure, the first part of the Dallas Cowboys' offseason has been problematic. They lost tailback Tony Pollard to free agency, then didn't sign one of the many big-name running backs that were available.
They lost long-time stalwarts such as tackle Tyron Smith, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and receiver Michael Gallup.
Dallas' plan seems to be saving money to work new deals with their stars—Micah Parsons, Cee Dee Lamb, and Dak Prescott—which also implies the Cowboys are going to lean on the upcoming draft to fill some pressing needs.
Where is the NFL Draft?
Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
What are the draft needs for the Dallas Cowboys
Per the Dallas Cowboys official website, "We think left tackle, center, running back, defensive tackle and maybe linebacker are the biggest needs. But we can't really dismiss cornerback or wide receiver and maybe guard, if they move Tyler Smith out to tackle. So this team has plenty of needs."
For those counting, that lists every position except safety, defensive end and tight end.
The upshot is that Dallas can be flexible when drafting according to need, so the "best available player" will probably fit in somewhere with the Cowboys.
Here are some possibilities.
2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Predictions for Dallas Cowboys
The consensus is that Dallas begins a rebuild on its offensive line, though there is a split on whether that means a guard, center (those two positions are IOL - interior offensive line), or a tackle. Here is what the pundits have Dallas doing with the 24th pick in the draft.
Bleacher Report: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
NBC Sports: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
ESPN: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
PFF: C Graham Barton, Duke
NFL.com: Xavier Worth, WR, Texas
CBS Sports: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
Sports Illustrated: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
7-round NFL draft predictions for the Dallas Cowboys
The deeper dives all agree Dallas is going to take multiple offensive linemen and a running back.
Blogging the Boys:1.24 - OC Graham Barton, Duke2.56 - OT Brandon Coleman, TCU3.87 - TB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee5.174 - LB Jaylan Ford, Texas6.216 - WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M7.233 - DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa7.244 - CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State
PFF:1.24 - DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois2.56 - G Christian Hayes, Connecticut3.78 - TB Trey Benson, Florida State5.174 - C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State6.216 - LB Jaylan Ford7.233 - S Trey Taylor, Air Force7.244 - T KT Leveston, Kansas State
The Athletic:1.24 - OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma2.56 - LB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State3.87 - TB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee5.174 - C Matt Lee, Miami6.216 - WR Xavier Weaver, Colorado7.233 - CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State7.244 - DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
Who are some running backs for the Dallas Cowboys to draft?
The best available player with the 24th pick probably won't be a running back, but Dallas could move on one in the next two rounds. USA Today's Cowboys Wire suggests these potential second-day picks and where Dallas could land them:
Round 2: Jonathon Brooks, RB Texas
Round 2: Trey Benson, RB Florida State
Round 2: Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin
Round 3: Jaylen Wright, RB Tennessee
Round 3: Blake Corum, RB Michigan
Round 3: Marshawn Lloyd, RB USC
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft:
When: April 25-27, 2024
Time: Thursday 6 p.m. MT, 7 p.m. CT; Friday 5 p.m. MT, 6 p.m. CT; Saturday 10 a.m. MT, 11 a.m. CT
Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
Cable: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+, ESPN+, Hulu+ Live TV, FuboTV
What is the NFL draft order?
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: NFL Draft buzz: Who will the Dallas Cowboys take in 2024?