Cowboys' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys have been shockingly quiet in free agency thus far. Their one notable addition has been that of linebacker Eric Kendricks. Otherwise, Dallas has largely focused on re-signing players like running back Rico Dowdle and cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
This doesn't mean, however, that the Cowboys aren't looking to win in 2024 or can't make a run. They have a strong core roster that was good enough to win 12 games in 2023.
After losing a few key free agents, however, Dallas does have notable needs, and the Cowboys will need to address them in the draft. The Cowboys are armed with seven total selections, including the 24th overall pick.
Here, we'll dive into the Cowboys' biggest remaining needs and some potential targets to consider in April's draft.
Offensive Tackle
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The Cowboys chose not to retain longtime starting left tackle Tyron Smith in free agency, which creates a massive hole on the left side of the line. Replacing Smith could require an aggressive approach to the early draft.
This year's top tackle prospects—Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu—are expected to be off the board long before Dallas is on the clock. Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu might still require a trade to get, but he'd provide the Cowboys with options.
Fautanu may move inside at the pro level, but he has experience starting at left tackle. Drafting him would allow the Cowboys to hold a competition between Fautanu and Tyler Smith, who started at left tackle as a rookie but started at guard in 2023.
Between Fautanu and Tyler Smith, Dallas should find its starting left side. Houston's Patrick Paul is another left tackle prospect to consider early, though he's a bit more of a developmental option.
Going all the way up for Alt or Fashanu would be expensive but would potentially solidify the left tackle spot for the next decade.
Center
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Dallas may choose to move Tyler Smith to tackle and avoid addressing the position early. Doing so would make guard a draft need, but center is a need as things currently stand.
Starting center Tyler Biadasz departed for the rival Washington Commanders in free agency.
If the Cowboys do pass on a tackle in Round 1, a center prospect like West Virginia's Zach Frazier would be entirely logical. Frazier is an impressive 6'3", 313-pound prospect with the tools to make an immediate impact.
"Frazier is an experienced center-only prospect with adequate size, solid athletic ability and very good play strength that he combines with high-level football intelligence and competitive toughness to run the show pre-snap, lead and find ways to get defenders blocked in a variety of schemes," Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
Duke's Graham Barton and Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson are other interior linemen who should be on the Cowboys' radar on the opening night of the draft. Taking one of them would allow Dallas to come back and address its remaining offensive line need on Day 2.
Running Back
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Dallas has yet to add a veteran running back, and it cannot afford to go into the season with Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as its primary backfield duo. The 2024 draft class isn't particularly loaded at the position, but the Cowboys will inevitably have to take a running back.
Florida State's Trey Benson is the top-ranked back on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, and he should garner interest on Day 2.
"Benson isn't a
perfect back, but he's a tough, explosive runner who continues to
improve his vision and has useful pass-catching traits. That's a recipe
for success at the NFL level," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
Dallas would still likely be looking at a committee approach in 2024, as Benson doesn't project as a true every-down back. However, there isn't one in this year's draft class, which explains the early flurry of running back signings in free agency.
Teams aren't likely to uncover a Bijan Robinson in the 2024 draft.
Other running backs for Dallas to consider include Notre Dame's Audric Estimé, Texas' Jonathon Brooks and Wisconsin's Braelon Allen.
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