Cowboys 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Roundup of B/R Staff, Kiper and Expert Picks

The 2024 NFL draft is set to kick off on April 25, and for the Dallas Cowboys, it could define the offseason.

Dallas has been surprisingly inactive this offseason, especially considering how its postseason run ended in agonizing fashion. The Cowboys have re-signed a few role players and added linebacker Eric Kendricks, but they also watched key contributors like Tyron Smith, Dorance Armstrong, Tony Pollard and Tyler Biadasz sign elsewhere.

It would seem that Dallas' plan is to reload in the draft, and there are intriguing prospects to be found at the top. The Cowboys can fill a few voids with their early selections. The unknown is who they'll target.

While we won't truly learn Dallas' draft plans until next weekend, we can potentially get a glimpse by examining some mock predictions from around the web. We'll do exactly that here, with a focus on Dallas' top three selections—picks No. 24, 56 and 87.

Pick No. 24

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Georgia OT prospect Amarius Mims

B/R Scouting Department: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

NFL Media's Chad Reuter: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

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With Tyron Smith out, Tyler Smith settling in at guard and Terence Steele serving as a merely functional right tackle, Dallas should be interested in adding tackle help.

Unsurprisingly, both the B/R Scouting Department and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. mocked and offensive tackle to the Cowboys in Round 1. Kiper favored the athletic traits of Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton, while the Bleacher Report team highlighted the upside of Georgia's Armarius Mims.

"While Mims' eight career starts clouds the picture with his projection to the NFL, the tools and natural ability are clearly in place to become a high-end starting tackle over time, and the Cowboys are in desperate need of those traits at left tackle," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said.

NFL Media's Chad Reuter went in a completely different direction, however, pairing Dallas with Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. While this feels like a reach—Brooks is the 86th-ranked prospect on the B/R board—Dallas does need a starting-caliber back.

The Cowboys also have a history of doing their own thing on draft day—like reaching for a developmental defender in Mazi Smith last year. If a running back like Brooks is high enough on Dallas' draft board, the Cowboys absolutely could flip the switch in Round 1.

Pick No. 56

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Texas RB prospect Jonathon Brooks

B/R Scouting Department: IOL Zach Frazier, West Virginia

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

NFL Media's Chad Reuter: OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

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Perhaps Brooks landing in Round 1 wouldn't be a massive reach. Kiper mocked the Texas dual-threat to the Cowboys just one round later:

"Brooks, who rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns before tearing an ACL in November, has the tools to be an impact player as a rookie," Kiper wrote. "He showed some upside as a pass-catcher, too. He's my top-ranked back."

The B/R Scouting Department went with West Virginia interior lineman Zach Frazier. Frazier, who projects as a starting-caliber center at the pro level, would fill an obvious need in the wake of Biadasz's departure.

With the Cowboys going running back in Round 1 of Reuter's mock, coming back for a tackle in Round 2 was entirely logical. Reuter tabbed TCU's Brandon Coleman, a bit of a project but one with tremendous upside.

The 6'5", 313-pound Coleman might end up kicking inside to guard as a pro, but he would give Dallas options. If he couldn't take over at tackle immediately, Dallas could try starting him at guard and moving Tyler Smith over to tackle—where he spent plenty of time as a rookie in 2022.

Pick No. 87

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Oregon WR prospect Troy Franklin

B/R Scouting Department: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

NFL Media's Chad Reuter: IOL Zach Frazier, West Virginia

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

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Kiper's mick only spanned two rounds, so for Round 3, we'll examine the mock of The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner. For the record, Baumgardner had Guyton going to Dallas in Round 1 and Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro landing with the Cowboys in Round 2.

In the third round, Baumgardner paired the Cowboys with Brooks. Clearly, the experts like the idea of Brooks staying in Texas and playing for the Cowboys.

Reuter mocked Frazier to Dallas in Round 3, another potential pairing that seems to be gaining traction. It makes sense because the Cowboys need to replace Biadasz, and Frazier has the tools to do it.

The B/R Scouting Department, however, had the Cowboys taking Oregon receiver Troy Franklin. While receiver isn't at the top of Dallas' list of needs, it does make sense. The Cowboys are still searching for a reliable third receiver, and Franklin is a quality prospect in a deep receiver class.

"Franklin's speed makes him an exciting swing on high-end potential, while his crafty route-running and attention to detail gives him a comfortable floor," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

With Frazier joining CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson, Dak Prescott would enjoy a potentially elite receiving corps in his contract year.

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*Draft order via Tankathon