Cowboys' 2024 NFL Draft dream scenario is starting to look absolutely realistic
After the Senior Bowl was over in early February, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson emerged as one of the biggest winners of the all-star showcase as he jumped draft boards and had his name come up much earlier in mock drafts around the NFL. So much so that for the Dallas Cowboys, back then, it started […]
After the Senior Bowl was over in early February, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson emerged as one of the biggest winners of the all-star showcase as he jumped draft boards and had his name come up much earlier in mock drafts around the NFL.
So much so that for the Dallas Cowboys, back then, it started to seem like an undeniable conclusion that the mean and fun player wouldn't make it to 24th overall.
Since then, things have changed in several ways. Firstly, the Cowboys' need for a starting center is now undeniable after Tyler Biadasz signed with the Washington Commanders.
Although the team could bet on one of its young players like T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman to take over at center, it's tough to believe that would represent
Additionally and perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that there are some hints that NFL front offices aren't as high on Powers-Johnson as the media is. On Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah released their mock drafts with the Oregon center falling out of the top 20 in the former and even out of the first round in the latter.
Even more interestingly is the fact that Graham Barton is picked before the Oregon standout in both mock drafts. Despite playing tackle at Duke, Barton is seen as a guard/center prospect because of his arm length (sub-33-inch arms).
As of March 5th, Grinding the Mocks projected Barton to be picked 29th while JPJ 21st. The shift in two of the biggest names in the mock draft game is certainly noteworthy.
In Jeremiah's mock, the Cowboys take Powers-Johnson at 24th overall: "Eleven years ago, the Cowboys took center Travis Frederick near the bottom of the first round and that worked out well. They go back to the same formula with Powers-Johnson."
Per NFL Mock Draft Database, Powers-Johnson has been mocked as a Top 20 pick by TheScore, Pro Football Focus, and NBC Sports, among others.
But with the tides turning, Powers-Johnson absolutely looks like a legit possibility for the Cowboys at 24th overall. Although they need a tackle/guard as well, the decision should come down to who's the best player available when they're on the clock.
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