Cowboys Draft Results: Dallas ‘All-In’ on Another Early Playoff Exit
The Dallas Cowboys are all-in on having an underwhelming offseason, but America’s Team is still near the top for the NFC favorites in our NFL odds. Where do the Cowboys stand after the draft?
Dallas looks to have done just fine in the draft, but few of these picks are likely to make up for the team’s lack of activity in free agency. The Cowboys lost two starting offensive linemen this offseason: Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz.
To counter, Dallas used two of their first three picks on offensive linemen, including Oklahoma standout Tyler Guyton. The Cowboys deserve credit for maneuvering the draft board on opening night.
Tyler Guyton gets his first look at his new #Cowboys digs — right next to Zack Martin, no less.
His expressions tell all. pic.twitter.com/qhK09D0C2w
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) April 26, 2024
Dallas traded down with Detroit and was still able to land Guyton. The Cowboys added a third-round pick for their efforts.
Here’s where the Cowboys stand after their draft.
Trade Down Pays Off… And Jerry Jones Makes It Weird
Heading into the draft, the Cowboys had been linked to guards and centers. The team clearly valued using their first-rounder on offensive tackle rather than the other offensive line positions. Dallas did add guard Cooper Beebe in the third round with the extra pick the team added from Detroit.
It did not take long for owner Jerry Jones to make things super weird by labeling Guyton a “sexy pick.”
“This is a sexy pick for an offensive lineman because he’s got a lot of upside,” Jones noted, per Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill Jr.. “I’m excited about that.”
Wake Forest Caelen Carson Could Be a Sleeper for the Cowboys
One name to keep an eye on is Wake Forest corner Caelen Carson who the Cowboys landed in the fifth round. Heading into the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Carson a third-round grade.
The @dallascowboys got a steal in fifth-round CB Caelen Carson from Wake Forest. Carson was on Keon Coleman all day last season vs. Florida State, and won a lot more than he lost. He’s a guy who’s going to ingest Mike Zimmer’s playbook in a hurry. pic.twitter.com/rybSrMEAwd
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 1, 2024
“He works through route combinations from zone and will come downhill and strike with good purpose most of the time,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile of the corner. “Carson’s angles to the throw and as a tackler can be spotty, leading to missed opportunities. Overall, the physical traits are ahead of the positional skills, but there is enough in place to project him as an eventual CB3.”
Dallas Passed on Taking a Running Back Only to Sign Zeke Elliott
One of the more puzzling things is the Cowboys’ decision to pass on taking a running back with any of their draft picks. Dallas’ running game last season badly needed improvement and then the front office let Tony Pollard walk in free agency.
The Cowboys did not replace Pollard with a suitable veteran. This would not have been a big deal except that Dallas also passed on the position in the draft.
The Cowboys could have had college standouts like Blake Corum or Braelon Allen in the mid-to-late rounds. Instead, Dallas is pretending it is 2015 by re-signing Ezekiel Elliott.
It is not that Elliott cannot contribute, but his days of being the featured back are likely over. As things stand now, it will be the Elliott and Rico Dowdle show next season.
Cowboys fans should prepare for a lot of three-yard runs.
What Happened to the Cowboys Being All-In?
You may remember that Jones began the offseason by declaring the franchise was “all-in” for next season. There may have been some confusion on what Jones meant, namely the owner could have been referring to signing star players like CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons to contract extensions.
As if it wasn’t confusing enough already, Jones attempted to explain his “all-in” stance.
“Your definition of what is ‘all-in’ and mine might not be the same thing,” Jones said at the NFL Combine, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “But I’m trying to win the games this year with my decision. So I’m all-in to this year.”
“… But I think the attention that the nuances of where we are with the cap, the nuances of where we are with our position in the draft, the nuances of where we are with our free agents that we get that involved in [is] the definition of ‘We’re all-in.'”
So, About the Cowboys’ Draft
As for the actual draft results, Dallas focused on adding depth to the offensive line and defense. The Cowboys failed to address key positions of need like defensive tackle, running back, or receiver with any of their picks on the first two days.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talking about their roster building going forward, mentioned the possibility of trading for veteran players. “This thing is a long way from being over.” pic.twitter.com/PRG3RcqnVD
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 27, 2024
Dallas’ draft was the equivalent of eating oatmeal for breakfast. It had substance at important positions, but the front office did little to impress for this upcoming season.
Despite betting lines indicating otherwise, the Cowboys appear to once again be all-in on another early playoff exit.
Questions of the Day
Who did the Dallas Cowboys draft in the first round?
The Cowboys selected offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the No. 29 pick.
Did the Dallas Cowboys draft a running back?
No, the Cowboys did not use any of their draft picks on a running back.
