The 2024 NFL draft is hurtling towards reality and while teams are conveying calm, there are a bunch of anxious coaching staffs right now.
In this mock draft featuring three full rounds, Dallas looks to salvage their offseason.
This mock takes the hyper-realistic stance of seeing the possibilities with no trades allowed and every team sticking with their allotted positions.
The likelihood of this happening is slim to none, but this gives the best idea of who will be available at what picks.
Not only is he a powerhouse, he’s technically sound and can play any of the five OL spots.
With how little depth Dallas has at every spot, Barton brings as much insurance and talent as a single prospect possibly could.
The injury history is certainly a concern but what’s NFL draft season without the Cowboys taking a flyer in the second round?
New DC Mike Zimmer has a long history of elite nose tackle play and Sweat could very easily add to that list.
A number of nervous coaching staffs are currently in place as the 2024 NFL draft approaches, despite teams’ calm declarations. None more so than the group in Dallas, where every player is in the last year of their contract during a season of attrition with minimal roster improvements.
Dallas attempts to salvage its offseason in this mock draft that includes three full rounds. Seeing the possibilities with no trades permitted and each team maintaining its assigned positions, this mock adopts a hyper-realistic perspective. Although there is very little chance of this happening, this provides the most accurate indication of who will be available at what picks. The Pro Football Network’s mock simulator was used for the exercise.
[smgtolocal|affiliatewidget].
1. Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears.
Second: Jayden Daniels, quarterback for the Washington Commanders.
3. Quarterback Drake Maye of the New England Patriots.
4. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Joe Alt, the overtime specialist for the Los Angeles Chargers, is number five.
6: Malik Nabers, wide receiver, New York Giants.
OT – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Tennessee Titans 7.
8. Dallas Turner is surpassed by the Atlanta Falcons.
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze is number nine.
10: OT Taliese Fuaga of the New York Jets.
11: JJ McCarthy, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
12: Denver Broncos – Jared Verse leads.
13: OT JC Latham, Oakland Raiders.
TE Brock Bowers of the New Orleans Saints is number 14.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Indianapolis Colts, is number fifteen.
Cooper DeJean, safety, Seattle Seahawks, 16.
Terrion Arnold of the Jacksonville Jaguars, position 17.
18: Troy Fautanu in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals.
19: Edge Laiatu Latu by Los Angeles Rams.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, O.C.
21: Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Miami Dolphins.
22: Edge Chop Robinson of the Philadelphia Eagles.
23: CB Nate Wiggins of the Minnesota Vikings.
OL Graham Barton of the Dallas Cowboys is number 24.
Dallas should consider themselves fortunate that someone like Duke OL Graham Barton could live to 24 given the situation they find themselves in. His technical soundness and ability to play all five OL spots make him more than just a formidable player. Although he might not be the biggest or strongest, versatility like this doesn’t just happen. Barton provides as much insurance and talent as a single prospect could, given how little depth Dallas has at every position. Long term, he might succeed Zack Martin as the head of this offensive line, but in the short term, he might play center, left guard, or left tackle.
25: Amarius Mims, OT, Green Bay Packers.
26: Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy of the Tampa Bay Bucs.
DT Johnny Newton of the Arizona Cardinals is number 27.
28: Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell of the Buffalo Bills.
29: Byron Murphy II, DT, Detroit Lions.
30: Tyler Guyton, overtime for the Baltimore Ravens.
31:OT, Jordan Morgan, San Francisco 49ers.
32: Wide Receiver Keon Coleman, Kansas City Chiefs.
Select positions 33 through 43.
33: Adisa Isaac of the Carolina Panthers, the edge.
34: Tyler Nubin, safety, New England Patriots.
35: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry of the Arizona Cardinals.
36: OT Patrick Paul for the Washington Commanders.
37: CB T of the Los Angeles Chargers. D. J. Florida, Tampa.
38: Kingsley Suamataia of the Tennessee Titans in overtime.
39: WR Xavier Legette of the Carolina Panthers.
Trey Benson, RB, Washington Commanders, 40.
41: CB Max Melton of the Green Bay Packers.
42: Marshawn Kneeland of the Houston Texans edged him.
selects 43–55.
Ja’Lynn Polk, wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons, 43.
44: Bo Nix (QB, Oakland Raiders).
45: Michael Hall Jr., a DT for the New Orleans Saints.
Indianapolis Colts – Darius Robinson (46).
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, New York Giants, 47.
48: WR Troy Franklin of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
49: Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey, Cincinnati Bengals.
50: Edgerrin Cooper, linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles.
51: Original Cooper Beebe of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
52: Mike Sainristil, CB, Los Angeles Rams.
53: Kamren Kinchens, safety, Philadelphia Eagles.
Chris Braswell by the Cleveland Browns, 54.
55: Michael Penix Jr., quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
56: LB Payton Wilson of the Dallas Cowboys.
If it weren’t for his extensive injury history—which includes two ACL tears in a matter of years, dating back to his high school years—Wolfpack alum Payton Wilson would probably be the presumptive LB1. Despite his bad luck, he continued to compete and emerged as one of this class’s top linebackers.
Being one of the few prospects who can accurately shoot a gap in the run game and then easily drop back into coverage, he has a true three-level impact. Even though the Cowboys won’t be taking a chance in the second round, the injury history is undoubtedly a concern.
Selections 57–64.
Green Bay Packers – LB Cedric Gray (number 58).
59: Christian Haynes, the original member of the Houston Texans.
DT Kris Jenkins of the Buffalo Bills is number 60.
61: Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of the Detroit Lions.
Roger Rosengarten, the overtime player for the Baltimore Ravens, is number 62.
San Francisco 49ers – Brandon Dorlus is edged at 63.
Ben Sinnot, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is number 64.
Round 3: Choose between 65 and 75.
65: CB Kamari Lassiter of the Carolina Panthers.
Junior Colson, linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, is number 66.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Safety, Washington Commanders, 67.
68: Roman Wilson, wide receiver, New England Patriots.
Devontez Walker, wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers, #69.
70: WR Malachi Corley of the New York Giants.
71: Javon Bullard, safety for the Arizona Cardinals.
WR Jalen McMillan of the New York Jets is number 72.
Detroit Lions – Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, 73.
Cole Bishop, safety, Atlanta Falcons, (74).
75: Ja’Tavion Sanders, tight end, Chicago Bears.
Selections 76–86.
Denver Broncos – CB Caelen Carson, 76.
Andru Phillips, CB, Oakland Raiders, no. 77.
Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington Commanders, 78.
79: Christian Mahogany, original player for the Atlanta Falcons.
DT Ruke Orhorhoro of the Cincinnati Bengals is number 80.
quarterback Spencer Rattler of the Seattle Seahawks, number 81.
82: Kiran Amegadjie (OT, Indianapolis Colts).
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams is 83.
84: Braden Fiske, a DT for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jonathan Brooks, running back, Cleveland Browns, 85.
86: Will Shipley, running back for the Houston Texans.
T’Vondre Sweat, a DT for the Dallas Cowboys, is 87.
Dallas now has nose tackle on their list of positions to address this weekend because they decided not to address it in free agency. The combination of a rejuvenated Smith and the terrifying T’Vondre Sweat would make for an incredible rotation of run stoppers, even though it may seem unnecessary given 2023 first round selection Mazi Smith.
Given his size and strength, Sweat could be an elite nose tackle in the future. He dominated with the Longhorns but offers little potential as a pass rusher. Sweat might very well add to the long list of exceptional nose tacklers that new DC Mike Zimmer has produced.
Select 88 – 100.
S Jaden Hicks of the Green Bay Packers is 88th.
89: DT Maason Smith of the Tampa Bay Bucs.
90: OG Dominick Puni of the Arizona Cardinals.
Green Bay Packers RB Blake Corum is ranked 91st.
CB DeCamerion Richardson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is 92.
Baltimore Ravens – CB D.J, position 93. The James.
94: CB Renardo Green of the San Francisco 49ers.
95: Trevin Wallace, left guard, Kansas City Chiefs.
96: Delmar Glaze, overtime for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Austin Booker is beaten by the Cincinnati Bengals, 97–1.
98: Blake Fisher, overtime, Pittsburgh Steelers.
99: Johnny Wilson, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams.
CB Josh Newton of the Washington Commanders is number 100.
