The Dallas Cowboys (9-3) are coming off a huge win over the Seattle Seahawks (6-6), so while the 2024 NFL Draft is probably the last thing on people's minds, it's always important to keep one eye on the future. 

Especially if the Cowboys continue to win games at the rate they have over the last few seasons.

Recently, The Athletic's expert Dane Brugler released his first mock draft of the season and he had the 'Boys making a pick that not only made sense, but serves as yet another foundational piece to a position group they've prioritized for years now: the offensive line. 

Brugler has the Cowboys selecting Duke guard/center Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick. The three-year starter and former three-star recruit currently has 34 career starts since 2021 and has been a key part of the Blue Devils offensive line since Mike Elko took over as head coach.

A college left tackle, Barton is going to move inside in the NFL and projects well at either guard or center. The Cowboy might need help at both spots with Tyler Biadasz a pending free agent and a future uncertain for Tyron Smith. This pick assumes Tyler Smith would replace Tyron Smith at left tackle, thus creating a need at left guard. 

Dane Brugler isn't wrong in his assessment whatsoever. In fact, he hit it on the head. 

As we previously discussed, Tyron has become more of a "when will he get hurt?" Rather than a "will he get hurt?" It's not something you want to rely on long term. 

It also fits the long-adored bill of the Cowboys loving position flexibility. 

Barton fits that mold to a T, as he has college experience playing tackle and he projects inside. It just becomes a matter of where the Cowboys view him.

It is worth noting that two notable offensive line prospects in Houston's Patrick Paul, and Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga went just a few picks after. However, they are more pure tackle prospects and position flex would be more of a question. 

An offensive lineman in the first round would continue a Cowboys tradition

If the Cowboys draft an offensive lineman in the first round of the '24 NFL Draft, it'll be the fifth time the team has selected an offensive lineman in Round 1 since 2010: Tyron Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013), Zack Martin (2014), and Tyler Smith (2022) are the other four and three of them not only have multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pros under the belt – they've been considered the best at their respective position, at one point. Only the second Smith, who is in his second year, has yet to earn any accolades and understandably so.

In this instance, Barton would be in line with Smith to help carry the torch. Based off the Cowboys' past, it looks like a safe bet to happen at an elite level.

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