Predicting Cowboys' Early 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

The first rookie minicamp for the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 NFL draft picks and undrafted free agents has already wrapped up, with 29 players taking the field at The Star for the first time.

The Cowboys just brought in eight rookies with draft picks, but it's still not too early to start taking a look at who the Cowboys might be interested in bringing in when the 2024 version of the event rolls around.

With the constant churning of roster movement in the NFL, it's important for front offices to have a plan that includes looking ahead. Taking things year by year is not really an option as teams look to balance the checkbook and anticipate needs while constantly developing depth.

With that in mind, here's a look at a way-too-early big board with three players the Cowboys might be interested in keeping tabs on.

These selections were based on projected draft stock and anticipated team needs.

3. S Kamren Kinchens, Miami

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Miami safety Kamren Kinchens (24) celebrates an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Cowboys signed Donovan Wilson to a three-year, $21 million contract this offseason. That takes care of one safety spot for the foreseeable future.

However, Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse are both set to become free agents in 2024. So unless Israel Mukuamu starts showing that he's a future starter on the defense, the Cowboys might be in the market for a game-changing safety.

The Cowboys have not really valued the safety position during the Dan Campbell era. Wilson's contract is the most notable investment they've made. However, a prospect like Kamren Kinchens could make sense for a defense that has building blocks at all the most important defensive positions.

Kinchens is one of those defenders who has the ability to play all over the field. At Miami, he has lined up in the box, in the slot and as the deep safety, per PFF.

Regardless of where he lines up, he is going to be a sought-after safety prospect for his ball-hawking skills. He had six interceptions in his second season with the Hurricanes.

For a team that lived on creating turnovers in 2022, adding another guy who can create those game-shifting plays is going to be an enticing option.

2. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

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ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 31: Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) runs with the ball during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl semifinal college football playoff between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 31st, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Finding good wide receivers on rookie contracts becomes more important as veteran quarterbacks get deeper into their contracts.

Case in point, Dak Prescott's 2024 cap hit is scheduled to be $59.5 million. Of course, they will likely restructure that and convert some of the salary into a bonus that will be spread out into future years of the contract, but Prescott's price tag will only go up.

So while the receiving trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup would make it appear that wide receiver isn't a pressing need right now, there's a good chance the Cowboys look to add a blue chip prospect at the position really soon.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to get a ton of hype as the best wide receiver in the draft class, but don't sleep on fellow Buckeye Emeka Egbuka.

Ohio State is on a roll as a pipeline of NFL-caliber wide receivers. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have all been first-rounders. Harrison and Egbuka are likely to make it five in three years.

At 6'1", Egbuka is big enough to play on the outside but has the agility and quickness to play on the inside. The Cowboys could truly get creative with him playing alongside Lamb, Cooks and Gallup, with Lamb and the rookie working as the true long-term solutions.

1. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Cooper DeJean #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes competes against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Gophers 13-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Stephon Gilmore was a great pickup for the 2023 season. The 32-year-old gives the Cowboys an upgrade at the outside corner spot across from Trevon Diggs.

He raises the ceiling of the Cowboys secondary this season. However, he's not a long-term solution. His play has not dipped yet, but he's on the wrong side of 30, and cornerback is a position where decline can pick up rapidly.

He'll turn 33 during the season, and his contract expires at the end of the 2023 season.

Once the Cowboys brass sees how good this defense can be with two strong cornerbacks on the outside, they aren't going to want to go back. Finding a trade like the one that brought back Gilmore isn't something that comes along every offseason.

The answer is to draft another corner they can develop alongside Diggs. Cooper DeJean is a great prospect to do just that with.

DeJean is the second-highest-graded returning cornerback in the Power Five conferences by PFF. At 6'2", 209 pounds he has elite size for the position, bullies opposing receivers and was aggressive in going after the ball with five interceptions.

That's a perfect replacement for Gilmore and a nice pairing with Diggs.