3 Players the Cowboys Must Target With the No. 24 Pick

The 2023 NFL season didn't go as the Dallas Cowboys had planned, but we can't dwell on the past forever. The offseason is in full swing and the Cowboys have a busy next few months on the horizon, including the 2024 NFL Draft in April.

As it stands, Dallas heads into this year's draft with seven selections in its possession, including the 24th overall pick. America's Team isn't unfamiliar when it comes to drafting in the mid-20s, having selected Tyler Smith at No. 24 in 2022 before taking Mazi Smith 26th overall last year.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys have a handful of pressing needs this offseason and can't afford to miss on their first-round selection. With that in mind, here are three players they should target at No. 24.

1. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

The Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but the group is in danger of taking a hit. Starting left tackle Tyron Smith is a pending free agent and even if he's re-signed, he's 33 years old and likely doesn't have too many seasons left in him. In other words, it's time that the franchise must think about drafting his potential replacement.

Enter Tyler Guyton.

Guyton is a mammoth of a prospect, listed at 6-foot-7 and weighing 328 pounds on Oklahoma's website. He's as explosive as they come and knows how to protect his quarterback, proven by his allowing just nine hurries with three QB hits across 355 pass-block downs throughout the 2023 college football season.

Guyton has also proven that he can play on both sides of the line, which is the type of versatility the Cowboys could use with offensive linemen Tyler Biadasz and Chuma Edoga both becoming free agents, too.

And even if Dallas manages to re-sign every key piece of its O-line, having a promising depth piece like Guyton, who could spend a year or two developing into a starter, wouldn't hurt.

2. OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Sticking with the offensive line, Arizona's Jordan Morgan is another gifted tackle whom the Cowboys should consider targeting.

Morgan has been a consistent presence on the Wildcats' O-line for the last few years, however, the 2023 campaign was his best effort yet. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound blocker only allowed 14 total pressures (11 hurries, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit) across 477 passing downs, earning a career-high 87.3 PFF pass-blocking grade and first-team All-Pac-12 honors for the first time.

Morgan only plays on the left side, meaning he'd either play behind Tyron Smith or be his direct successor. Either way, the 22-year-old oozes potential and would look great starting next to Tyler Smith for years to come, especially if he can hit his projected ceiling.

Morgan's blocking was a big reason why Arizona had a top-10 passing offense last season. Considering how the Cowboys aren't afraid to throw the ball, it's hard not to get excited about the potentially positive impact he could have in Big D, too.

3. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Ceedee Lamb is one of the best wide receivers in today's NFL, but he could use some help.

After all, Michael Gallup is a potential salary cap casualty after failing to hit 500 receiving yards for the third year in a row. And while Brandin Cooks did have eight touchdowns, his yardage production was inconsistent, finishing with 49 or fewer in 14 of his 17 appearances between the regular season and playoffs.

In other words, the Cowboys sure could use a wide receiver like Troy Franklin.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 170 pounds, Franklin is coming off a career year with the Oregon Ducks. He made 81 receptions for 1,383 receiving yards — sixth-most in the country — and led the Pac-12 in TDs for the second consecutive season, finishing with a whopping 14 after having a total of 11 in the two previous campaigns.

Franklin can play in or outside of the slot and excels at making sideline catches due to his speed and precise route-running ability. It's hard not to love the idea of him being the downfield threat while Lamb and Cooks handle the shorter passing situations.

Throw in the fact that Franklin would face lesser coverage due to Lamb's reputation and it isn't difficult to love the idea of the Oregon playmaker wearing the Cowboys star next season and beyond.

The Dallas Cowboys currently have the fifth-best odds (+1300) in the NFL to win Super Bowl LIX. How well they do at the draft will be a big determining factor in how far they go in the postseason. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook to take advantage of these odds and their sign-up bonus.

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