The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 NFL Draft short on picks in the mid-rounds. They traded away their original selections in Rounds 4-6 which means they'll be doing a lot of waiting on Day 3.
Dallas did get a comp pick in Round 5 (No. 174) and Round 6 (216) meaning they'll have four picks on the final day of the draft. Ideally, they'll hit pressing needs such as offensive tackle and center with their first three picks and look to fill out depth at the end.
With that strategy in mind, here's a look at three potential small-school steals the Cowboys could add.
3. Jarius Monroe, CB, Tulane
The Cowboys elected not to re-sign Stephon Gilmore which is a disappointment. They did retain Jourdan Lewis, so they will be able to go three deep with him playing the slot while Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland handle the outside. Their roster is strong but it would have been nice to see Gilmore and Diggs play a full season together. They could also be in trouble if they suffer another injury in 2024.
Dallas added Eric Scott in Round 6 last year but his ceiling is still unknown. That's why competition would be ideal and Jarius Monroe could provide that.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Monroe has the size to play on the outside in the NFL. He recorded six picks over the past two seasons for Tulane but needs to improve on his man coverage — he did excel in zone, however. Monroe was also excellent in run support and could be a special teams stud while he works his way up the depth chart.
2. Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
Osa Odighizuwa has proven himself a capable 3-tech but the Cowboys might not be willing to pay him when he hits free agency in 2025. The suddenly cheap franchise let Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and Tyler Biadasz walk — and Odighizuwa might have the same fate since he's played well enough to earn a decent contract.
If he were to leave, there aren't too many options behind him. Chauncey Golston has spent some time at 3-tech but he's primarily a defensive end that can slide inside on third downs. They added Viliami Fehoko in the fourth round last year but he's similar to Golston.
That's why it would be a good idea to add a defensive tackle on Day 3 who could develop behind Odighizuwa this year and then compete for a starting spot in 2025. One candidate for this role is Khristian Boyd from Northern Iowa.
At 6-foot-4 and nearly 320 pounds, Boyd has the size to play nose tackle but is more disruptive when lined up as the 3-tech. Considering how often the Cowboys were bullied in the run game, putting someone in this role with a little more weight is not a bad idea.
Boyd was credited with 28 tackles, nine quarterback hits, and three sacks in his senior season. He was redshirted, so he's on the older side at 24 but could be well worth a flier in Round 6 or maybe even Round 7.
1. Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
One player the Cowboys brought in for a top-30 visit is Marshall running back Rasheen Ali. He's an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-0 and 209 pounds. He also had a lot of success on the ground with 1,401 yards rushing in 2021 and 1,135 in 2023. He also scored 38 rushing touchdowns in those two years.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to put up elite numbers in 2022 due to an injury and then as he was garnering attention during the draft process, he suffered another setback.
Ali had to pull out of the Senior Bowl when he tore a biceps tendon. The expectation is that he will be cleared to play by July but that was the worst time for him to get sidelined. His name lost a lot of buzz surrounding it but that could be a good thing for the Cowboys.
With Tony Pollard leaving, they need a replacement and Ali fits the bill. In addition to his skill as a runner, he had 75 receptions for 557 yards and three touchdowns. He's not a former receiver as Pollard was but he's more than capable of doing damage out of the backfield as a pass-catcher.
Even if they add a running back on Day 2, the Cowboys should consider Ali if he's on the board for one of their final picks. There's no one on the roster currently that should be a lock for a spot at running back so the more talent they add, the better.