Dissecting the Cowboys' 2024 NFL Draft board: Second-round prospects they could target on Day 2
We recently covered what the Dallas Cowboys round-one board could look like ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. If you were paying attention, there was an obvious trend: They were all offensive linemen (I promise we will get to other positions). The Cowboys tend to telegraph what position they are taking every year, and as […]
We recently covered what the Dallas Cowboys round-one board could look like ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
If you were paying attention, there was an obvious trend: They were all offensive linemen (I promise we will get to other positions).
The Cowboys tend to telegraph what position they are taking every year, and as the draft gets closer, names start to leak as to who they're targeting.
I believe they are telegraphing offensive line this year, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them double dip in the draft as a whole.
But would they spend their first two picks on the offensive line? That is a debate for another day. For now let's build what I believe what the Cowboys second-round draft board could look like, including a prospect who would be a no-brainer for them at 56th. Let's dive in.
Offensive Tackle Patrick Paul, Houston
Spoiler alert: I don't think it's crazy to see the Cowboys double-dip at offensive line. I also don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that they do it in the top 100 picks. The Cowboys' calling card for the better part of the 21st century has been the offensive line.
That offensive line is getting old and has been plagued with the injury bug. Now would be a good time to reinvest in that unit. If you're able to land the interior player in Jackson Powers-Johnson in the first, adding Patrick Paul in the second could be a combination that sets your unit up for years down the line. Paul had an up-and-down Senior Bowl, this year, but what caught my attention was his game vs now Las Vegas Raider, Tyree Wilson last year.
Wilson was picked seventh overall in 2023. And Paul dominated that game and if you can get that version of Paul on a consistent basis, it would be a home run pick.
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Clemson
I promised y'all we would get to other positions, and here we are. Linebacker might not be one of the more glamorous picks for a team, but it's a desperate need for the Cowboys, and it is another one where I wouldn't be surprised to see them double-dip.
Jeremiah Trotter would be an interesting pick for the Cowboys.
For one, his father was a former Philadelphia Eagle, and seeing his son go to the Cowboys is sure to sting both Eagles fans and Jeremiah Trotter Sr. alike.
Trotter is a bit undersized at only 6'0, but has a well-built frame, weighing in at 230 pounds. He is a sound tackler, with excellent processing ability. Has functional long speed, and his intial explosiveness isn't always there. With the lack of a truly consensus linebacker one in this class, betting on one with NFL bloodlines is not necessarily a bad strategy.
Center Zach Frazier, West Virginia
For the third name, we will turn our attention back to the offensive line, and give a name in case they were to address tackle in the first round.
Zach Frazier is widely regarded as one of the best centers in the class. He went down to the Senior Bowl, but due to a broken fibula that required surgery to heal, he did not participate in contact drills. Regardless he was able to do some non-contact drills, and get in front of teams for interviews which is always a positive.
Frazier only gave up three hits, and four hurries, with zero sacks in his final season of play at West Virginia and could be a plug-and-play piece if you were to lose Biadasz this off-season.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Edgerrin Cooper is one of the main players in a battle with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for the title of linebacker one in this class.
Cooper has better size, coming in at 6'3 230, has incredible range, a knack for making plays, and has promise as a pass rusher. The downside to his game is that he is not as physical as you want him on a consistent basis.
Cooper posted an elite PFF grade of 90.8 this year and is my favorite to be linebacker one in this class. If he is available in the second, it would be a no-brainer type of pick for the Cowboys.
Safety Kamren Kinchens, Miami
If you drafted Kinchens, he would be your replacement for Jayron Kearse.
Kearse found his home in this defense thanks to Dan Quinn. With Dan Quinn gone, and Mike Zimmer taking over, does he follow suit as he is set to be a free agent? Do you keep the same personnel and have a need for the role at all?
Both of those questions remain to be seen, but with Kearse's contract up this year, and Donovan Wilson's contract set to expire next year, investing in the position is not a bad strategy.
Kinchens aligned all over the Hurricane defense in 2023. He took 112 snaps in the box, 114 snaps at slot corner, 387 snaps at safety, with potentially losing Jayron Kearse he could be a viable replacement.
You can read A to Z Sports' own Rob Gregson's scouting report on Kinchens here.
