The regular season slate of a playoff campaign isn’t even finished yet, and there’s a mock draft? Ludicrous? Nope, just starting to do some reconnaissance on the upcoming 2024 draft class. The Dallas Cowboys are one win away from securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC and hoping to use that momentum to propel them further than they’ve been in almost three decades of football.
Assuming Mike McCarthy and company will be back in 2024, there are a few glaring needs that Dallas is surviving in 2023, but could certainly use some assistance on. Mock drafts are fun exercises, knowing the club will have several key roster decisions to make over the next two months leading up to free agency. Needs will likely change, but for now it’s clear where upgrades can be made.
The Cowboys once again need better depth along the offensive line. Perhaps some of the younger players such as Matt Waletkzo, TJ Bass and Asim Richards ascend, but there need to be players added. Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are both free agents at the end of the season.
At running back, Tony Pollard is free to walk as well, as is linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Vander Esch’s neck injury has the organization questioning whether he’ll play football again. There are key areas that must be addressed.
In this seven-round exercise, we attempt to plug those holes in the best imaginable way. While collegiate all-star games, the scouting combine and individual workouts will change rankings considerably, these PFF rankings are based on grades from the actual games on the field.
Here’s how we’d address the Cowboys’ needs.