Picking the Dallas Cowboys' best Round 1 draft target after the 2024 NFL Combine
The Dallas Cowboys will be picking late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft but that might not be the worst thing in the world considering how this year's class is built. Although the Cowboys have huge defensive needs at linebacker and defensive tackle entering the offseason, those are likely to be addressed […]
The Dallas Cowboys will be picking late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft but that might not be the worst thing in the world considering how this year's class is built.
Although the Cowboys have huge defensive needs at linebacker and defensive tackle entering the offseason, those are likely to be addressed in March through free agency. When the time comes for the Draft, everything will be on the table, including offensive line.
That's even more the case after news hit the wire on Tyron Smith being reportedly unlikely to return to the team and with Tyler Biadasz also set to hit free agency and neither is guaranteed to return to Dallas for multiple reasons.
So, with that being said, who should the Cowboys be targeting in Round 1 of the draft after the NFL Combine?
The Cowboys should draft OL Troy Fautanu with the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
There are countless ways the board could fall for the Cowboys before they're on the clock come April but Washington's offensive lineman Troy Fautanu is expected to be a late first round pick. Per Grinding the Mocks, his expected pick based on data looking into thousands of mocks is 25th overall. He'd be a great pick for the Cowboys.
Fautanu's position is up for debate due to his size after playing left tackle for the Huskies. Many believe Fautanu will be considered as a guard by NFL teams but the good news for Dallas is they could use either.
Fautanu showed tackle size at NFL Combine
Fautanu's Combine measurements might've answered the biggest question about him as a prospect at the perfect time for the Cowboys: With a 6-3 6/8 height and 34.5-inch arms, Fautanu essentially proved he's built to play tackle in the league. Throughout this process, most people have listed him as a guard. That'll be harder to do after his numbers became official.
Prior to the Combine, I wrote the following: "It shouldn't shock anyone if there are teams out there who consider him a tackle in this year's draft process."
After last weekend, Fautanu's stock did nothing other than skyrocketing.
One thing is for sure, though: Fautanu is pro ready, showing off great technique in pass pro and a wide array of moves. He's got excellent footwork, which allows him to win reps long before hands even are a factor. He already looks like an NFL player in several aspects of his game, mostly in pass pro. will answer a lot of questions about his size given that he does have long arms even if he could be taller.
"Very effective snatch-trap technique to dismantle power rushers, active providing help & finishing blocks in pass pro, plays with a mean-streak & tries to finish blocks," details A to Z Sports' James Foster on his Big Board, although he notes Fautanu has struggled as a run blocker.
Would Fautanu fit the Cowboys' all-in plans?
The Cowboys aren't seriously going all in despite Jerry Jones' comments to the media but this weekend change all about this question. Before the news about Tyron's imminent departure, my biggest question about Fautanu being a draft target was that he wouldn't be starting barring any injury.
With No. 77 gone, it all changes. Fautanu would fit the Cowboys' so-called all-in in the sense that he'd come in to immediately be named a starter on the offensive line, be it at guard or tackle.
Where he plays mostly hinges on Tyler Smith, whose future position remains unclear having been drafted to play left tackle in the long run yet having a dominant second year at LG. But chances are he could be the tackle while Fautanu takes over inside. The bad news is the Cowboys don't seem to have a clear plan for Tyler and appear to be improvising more than anything else.
Final word
The Cowboys are expected to address offensive line early in the 2024 NFL Draft and provided Fautanu is on the board, it'll be difficult to pass on someone who looks like a plug-and-play prospect even if there's not an empty spot to plug him into right away.
The biggest concern after a strong combine week, however, is if Fautanu helped himself so much at Indy that he won't be there at 24th overall. There's a long way to go until the 2024 NFL Draft. Only time will tell.
