Dallas Cowboys will take the 24th pick in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. These five players would make excellent choices.
The Dallas Cowboys face a critical offseason ahead. They are under immense pressure to win in an NFC that has become more open since Tom Brady’s retirement. The Cowboys have not reached the NFC Championship Game in nearly 20 years, despite having a highly-talented roster. This raises the stakes for Jerry Jones who is trying to fix Dallas’ problems during the offseason.
Good news for Cowboys: There are many players available with the 24th draft pick that could be used to replace Dalton Schultz as Day 1 starter on a playoff team. These are the potential targets for Round 1 for the Cowboys, starting with a replacement for Dalton Schultz.
5. The Dallas Cowboys should draft Round 1 players – Trey McBride
Dallas may not be able to retain Schultz due to salary cap issues. This could make Dallas unable to retain Schultz , who is one of the most sought-after tight ends on the free agent market . Blake Jarwin to Schultz’s drop off is dramatic, and could affect the Cowboys offense. McBride will be No. 24 is a smart one if Schultz leaves.
McBride, the draft’s top tight end prospect from Colorado State, has received rave reviews for his ability as a matchup nightmare in passing. McBride’s above-average blocking ability is also encouraging, which could help the Cowboys to replace Schultz.
The No. The No. 24 pick appears to be at the top-end McBride draft stock, so Dallas might consider this option if their highest priority targets are not on the board. Jones could trade back to McBride to secure his services and to obtain draft capital to help the Cowboys improve their depth down the line.
4. Devonte Wyatt should be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in Round 1.
Since the Cowboys are still working on the unit, the defensive side of the ball will be a priority this offseason. Although Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator, helped transform a terrible Dallas defense into one that was respectable with significant draft capital last year, there are still many weaknesses that need to be fixed.
One is defensive tackle. Georgia’s Devonte Wiatt could make a lot of sense at No. 24. Wyatt, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound beast in the middle, played an important role alongside Jordan Davis on the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
Wyatt might not get as many praises as Davis, but he is still a solid NFL prospect. Scouts will be impressed by the fact that Davis can pass rush in the middle of their defensive line. This could prove to be an advantage for the Cowboys, as Randy Gregory is likely to leave in free agency.
Wyatt’s run game is another area where he will be a valuable asset. He can quickly get past his blockers and reach the ball carrier. Wyatt would make a great addition to Dallas’ defense in the first round.
3. The Dallas Cowboys should draft Round 1 players – Trevor Penning
Since the Cowboys took Zack Martin and Tyron Smith in the first round, the offensive line has been an asset. Dallas’ regular season success has been dependent on excellent line play. However, the unit needs to be strengthened with age concerns and potential upgrades at guard.
Trevor Penning, a 6’7″ player from Northern Iowa, could be a good fit for this role. Penning’s massive stature is not a problem despite his ability to walk quickly. This allows him to be a powerful bowler who can take on any defender.
Penning still needs to be developed as he hasn’t faced a lot of Division I competition while in college. However, Penning’s skills will allow him to play at guard day one. This would be a significant upgrade to Connor Williams who will test free agency. It is also easily replaceable for Dallas.
This move has great potential for the long-term. Penning could become the Cowboys’ left tackle in the future, as Smith is now 31 and has suffered significant injuries over the years. Smart teams know how to plan ahead and keep their offensive line strong, so Penning will be No. Dallas would be smart to pick 24.
2. The Dallas Cowboys should draft Round 1 players – Jordan Davis
When we were discussing Wyatt’s Georgia teammate, Jordan Davis, the Cowboys mentioned Jordan Davis. But they would love to have the chance to pick Davis at No. 24. Davis is widely regarded as one of the top defensive tackles in this draft class. He can be used as a 3-4 nose tackle, or as a traditional 4-3 defensive handle.
Davis’s best attribute is his ability to run the ball. His 6-foot-6, 344-pound frame makes it difficult for opposing offensive linesmen to move. Davis will draw many double teams at the point-of-attack, which allows the Cowboys’ pass rushers one-on-one matchups.
Davis isn’t a great pass-rusher, but he has the ability to create pressure through his bull-rushing abilities. Many quarterbacks struggle to navigate pressure coming from the middle. This is where Davis can help a Dallas defense that hasn’t been very successful in this area.
Quinn would be delighted to have Davis join the defensive line, as Davis is a disruptive force. Dallas will be a true force in the NFC if it continues to invest on the defense side of the ball like the Davis pick.
1. The Dallas Cowboys should draft Round 1 players – George Karlaftis
The modern NFL is all about getting pressure on the quarterback. This is the key to success. The Cowboys will need to answer key questions in the offseason. The 2021 first-round draft pick Micah Parsons generated 13 sacks as an rookie. However, Randy Gregory and Dorace Armstrong were the only Cowboys that produced at least four.
These two players are both free agents and could prove difficult to keep due to Dallas’ salary cap issues. The Cowboys will need to find another edge rusher to join Parsons or DeMarcus Lawrence. At No. 24, the most interesting edge rusher should be available. Purdue’s George Karlaftis is the 24th best edge rusher. His physical presence on the edge could complement Parsons’ speed-based attack.
Karlaftis was able to score 7.5 sacks last season for the Boilermakers while also making 54 tackles, proving his worth as an all-around defender. Karlaftis’ impressive size could be used by the Cowboys as a Swiss-army knife. Karlaftis would also be able to kick inside to rush Lawrence and Parsons on passing downs.
It is not easy to find pass rushers in free agency. Dallas doesn’t have the budget to spend on players like Harold Landry. Karlaftis was drafted at No. 24 would be the ideal fit for Cowboys defense and Jones could efficiently use his resources to address Dallas’ needs this offseason.