Dallas Cowboys mock draft: Final 2024 7-round prediction

We are almost done with all mock drafts.

With the 2024 NFL Draft now just a little over a week away, mock draft season is coming to an end. Before we close the book on all the speculation and guesstimating as to what the Dallas Cowboys may do with this year’s draft picks, I thought I’d throw one more prediction out there for the fun of it.

Instead of approaching this mock draft from the mindset of the Cowboys brass, I’m doing the opposite and putting on my general manager hat to select the players. Acquiring more draft capital would be the real move, but for this exercise we’re just going with the available picks.

The mindset heading into the 2024 NFL Draft is to get bigger and better on both sides of the ball in the trenches. That alone should have a positive ripple effect and upgrade the production of the entire team, both offensively and defensively. That is the foundation for the selections below.

*Player rankings based on Dane Brugler’s 2024 draft guide, The Beast

---

1.24 – OC Graham Barton, Duke

Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Graham Barton provides five position flex to play just about any position on the offensive line, but projects best along the interior as either a guard or center. He would challenge to start from Day 1 as Tyler Biadasz’ immediate replacement at center with the Cowboys.

Barton could very well be the best player available (BPA) on the board when the Cowboys are on the clock. He is Dane Brugler’s top-ranked OC and is slotted 18th overall in his Top 100 rankings. Dallas needs offensive line help in the worst way, both presently and for the future, and this selection is definitely a big step in the right direction.

Per Dane Brugler:

Barton will have adjustments to make as he moves inside, but his athletic feet and strong hands and works hard to stay attached to blocks through the whistle. He projects as an above-average NFL starter at guard or center (reminiscent to Alijah Vera-Tucker).

---

2.56 – OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Brandon Coleman played both left guard and tackle during his time at TCU and has the position flex to play either position at the next level. His size, agility, length, and power are reminiscent to what the Cowboys already have in Tyler Smith. Between the two, Dallas could decide who to play at LG or LT.

Coleman seems to be most comfortable at LT and he has the agility and length (34 inch arms) to handle the job. Like most rookies though, there will be some ups and downs while he acclimates himself to the speed of the NFL. He is Dane Brugler’s ninth-ranked OT and 66th overall in his Top 100 rankings.

Per Dane Brugler:

Coleman needs to improve his technical consistency, but his ease of movement, spatial awareness and length are the building blocks that offensive line coaches covet. He has the traits to stay outside at tackle while also offering position flexibility at guard.

---

3.87 – RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Jaylen Wright is arguably the fastest and most explosive running back in the entire 2024 draft class. Unlike Jonathan Brooks and Trey Benson, he has no history of lower leg injuries in his career, which is a huge plus. He has three-down capabilities and a lot of tread left on the tires after having fewer than 400 total offense touches in college.

The former Tennessee RB could be a more explosive version of Tony Pollard for the Cowboys. Any time he touches the ball as a runner or receiver he is a big play waiting to happen. He is Dane Brugler’s fourth-ranked running back this year and came in at 83rd overall in his Top 100 rankings, putting him in striking distance for the Cowboys.

Per Dane Brugler:

Wright needs to develop better feel for using tempo to maximize what is there, but his run strength, balance and ability to cut/weave at top speed make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. He projects as a scheme-versatile back (stylistically similar to Jerome Ford) who can handle work on all three downs.

---

5.174 – LB Jaylan Ford, Texas

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Jaylan Ford was one of the most productive linebackers in the country his last two seasons at the University of Texas. He’s somewhat of a old-school, throwback LB and isn’t going to wow anybody with his athleticism. He is however a smooth mover and one of the more instinctive players at his position in the entire 2024 draft class.

Even after signing Eric Kendricks in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys could use more depth at the MIKE LB position. At 6’2″, 239-pounds, Jaylan Ford has the prototypical size Mike Zimmer prefers and it’s also the position he played at UT in Pete Kwiatkowski’s 4-3 scheme. I really like him as a depth LB and core special teams player for the Cowboys.

Per Dane Brugler:

Ford doesn’t play with exceptional burst or speed, but his instinctive approach to the game puts him in position to make plays and hasn’t let him down yet. He projects somewhere between a reserve and rotational middle linebacker in the NFL.

---

6.216 – WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ainias Smith is a multi-dimensional, all-purpose offensive weapon capable of playing on the outside or in the slot as a wide receiver as well as taking handoffs out of the backfield as a running back. He is also one of the better punt returner’s in the 2024 draft class and has kickoff return experience as well. He is somewhat similar to Deebo Samuel in versatility.

Smith may not be the biggest (5’9″, 190) or the fastest (4.55 40-yard dash), but he has the skill set and traits to earn a versatile offensive role with the Cowboys as a rookie. He can be utilized in a variety of different ways as a “gadget” player early on while he continues to develop his craft. He earned a sixth-round grade from Dane Brugler.

Per Dane Brugler:

Smith doesn’t have ideal size or catch radius, but he is an instinctive athlete with twitchy gear change and competitive toughness to be productive with the ball in his hands. He can be a team’s top punt returner as a rookie, and his offensive skill set show similarities to Elijah Moore.

---

7.233 – DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa

Khristian Boyd was a combine snub, but someone more than capable of carving out a long time NFL career. Some view him as a nose tackle at the next level, while others see him as a 3-technique. With the Cowboys, who absolutely need more depth at the DT position, that kind of versatility could prove to be invaluable.

I personally hope the Dallas Cowboys target the DT position much earlier than this, however, if they can land Boyd here all would be forgiven and it could be the steal of the draft. He could potentially push Mazi Smith for reps at nose tackle, or at the very least, provide much-needed depth behind both him and Osa Odighizuwa.

Per Dane Brugler:

Boyd can get stuck on blocks versus long-armed resistance, but he is a stout run stuffer who eats up space and flashes pass-rush potential. He will interest different schemes as a quality depth piece.

---

2.244 – CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Chigozie Anusiem has impressive intangibles worth taking a flyer on with the last of the Cowboys draft picks in 2024. At 6’1″, 200-pounds and with 4.39 speed, he has the size/length/speed combination teams covet in an outside cornerback. He is at his best in press-man coverage, but also has experience in zone as well.

The former Colorado State CB would provide much-needed depth at cornerback and become a core special teams player while he develops. He could step in immediately and compete for the CB4 position behind Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis early on as a rookie and quite possibly be another late-round steal for the Cowboys.

Per Dane Brugler:

Anusiem’s lack of on-ball production is concerning but he plays with an edge and has the height/weight/speed blend that is coveted by NFL teams. He projects as a rotational press-man corner with zone experience.