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In late February, we published a Dallas Cowboys big board with the top possible players who could make sense with their first-round pick, No. 24 overall. With the NFL Draft a little over two weeks away, we have a better feel for what Dallas might do in the first round.
From scouting combine visits to Pro Days to official 30 visitors, we also have a better understanding of some of the top prospects the Cowboys are interested in beyond Round 1.
With all of that in mind, we’ve compiled a new big board of 20 names in this year’s draft that make sense for the Cowboys. These are players Dallas could be targeting in the first round but also some who could be a better fit on Day 2.
Cowboys draft picks
| ROUND | PICK | OVERALL | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
2 |
24 |
56 |
|
|
3 |
23 |
87 |
|
|
5 |
39 |
174 |
Compensatory |
|
6 |
40 |
216 |
Compensatory |
|
7 |
13 |
233 |
From Raiders |
|
7 |
24 |
244 |
So, here’s the updated big board with 20 names you need to know for the Cowboys in this year’s draft.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Left tackle is the position most likely to be addressed in the first round. The Cowboys need a Tyron Smith replacement and that could be Mims if he’s still available.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Like Mims, Guyton makes sense to replace Smith, however, he could also be long gone by the time the Cowboys are on the clock. There’s going to be a run on tackles, Dallas just needs one to fall to 24.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
It’s unlikely that the Cowboys will trade up in this year’s draft. They don’t have a fourth-round pick and, if anything, need more picks. It’s more likely that they trade back. But if the ideal OT candidate is there, no sense in moving at all.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
His stock seems to be rising at the right time. This is probably the last offensive tackle on this list who would be considered in the first round.
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
He’s probably more in the second-round range. If the Cowboys go in another direction in the first round, maybe Paul is an option in Round 2.
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Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Will he play guard or tackle in the NFL? The Cowboys would prefer to keep Tyler Smith at left guard. But if they find another guard they like more than the tackles remaining on the board, maybe a guard is the pick and Smith moves to left tackle.
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
He has the ability to play all five offensive line positions, but he’s most likely a guard or center in the NFL. He’s expected to be a first-round pick.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Cowboys are confident that they can find a starting-caliber center in the middle of the draft like they did with Tyler Biadasz in 2020. This is a quality center class. But the consensus is that Powers-Johnson is the best at the position. He’s expected to be a top-25 pick. While the questions at left tackle would remain, a possible interior of Zack Martin, Powers-Johnson and Tyler Smith looks great on paper.
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Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Linebacker was a weakness last season. The Cowboys have signed veteran Eric Kendricks but more help is needed at the position. Dallas won’t address it in the first round, but could in the second round with a tackling machine like Colson.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Another second-round possibility to pair with Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark. Not only did Cooper lead the Aggies in tackles but he added 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
Another second-round possibility. Wilson had 138 tackles, 17 1/2 tackles for loss and six sacks in 12 games.
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Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Not only do the Cowboys need to upgrade their linebacker spot on defense but they need more from their linebackers on special teams. This is a spot where at least two rookies could end up on Dallas’ final 53.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
With Tony Pollard gone, the No. 1 running back spot is wide open. Brooks is considered by many to be the best in this class. He’s likely a second-round pick. Some might think the second round is too early for a running back, but Brooks could be worth it.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Dallas was interested in drafting a running back in the middle rounds last season. It never happened. They didn’t pick one until Deuce Vaughn late in the sixth round. It seems like a good bet that they will draft one earlier this year.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Dallas’ current RB depth chart consists of Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, Vaughn and FB Hunter Luepke. Draft the right back in the second or third round, give them the bulk of the touches over the next four years. It seems like a solid plan.
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
He’s the smallest of the backs on this list. It seems like the Cowboys need more of a bigger back to carry the bulk of the load. But Irving could be a big-time playmaker in space.
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Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
He fits what the Cowboys are looking for at 6-1, 225. He had almost 2,000 rushing yards and 23 rushing TDs over the last two seasons at FSU.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Tight end isn’t as important of a need as offensive line or running back, but there’s currently a lot of questions behind Jake Ferguson on the depth chart.
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
He’s considered to be the best defensive tackle in this class. If he’s still there at 24 the Cowboys would have to consider him. But that would leave a lot of offensive holes to be filled in Rounds 2 and 3. The Cowboys need to come out of this draft with two starters on the offensive line and probably another at running back. Maybe that can be done without using their first three picks on those positions. It would be interesting to see Dallas go back-to-back drafts using its first-round picks on defensive tackles.
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
This is a big year for Sam Williams. The Cowboys need their 2022 second-round pick to play a major role with Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler now in Washington. Dallas believes Williams is ready, but adding more quality edge rushers never seems like a bad idea.
(Top photos of Payton Wilson, Taliese Fuaga, Jaylen Wright: Nicholas Faulkner, Chris Coduto, Bryan Lynn / Getty Images)
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