Final Cowboys 7-Round Mock Before 2024 NFL Draft

Later this week, the entire NFL will be heading to Detroit, Michigan for the 2024 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys go into the week with a plethora of needs — thanks in large part to one of the stingiest free-agency periods in team history.

That's left them with a whole lot of work to do, and not nearly enough draft picks to get the job done. That's why they decided to trade back in Round 1. Moving down is never fun for fans, but this class has enough talent on the offensive line (their top need) to get a quality player while adding more draft capital.

Round 1, Pick 30: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

The Cowboys entered the draft with seven picks, but only three were in the top 100. Trades from previous seasons left them without a fourth-round pick and their fifth and sixth-round selections are comp picks — meaning they're at the end of each round.

That's why they jump at the chance to trade with the Baltimore Ravens, who give up pick No. 93 to move from No. 30 to No. 24.

Once on the clock, the Cowboys decide to bring in Jordan Morgan from Arizona. The Wildcats left tackle nearly went into the draft in 2023 but returned after suffering a torn ACL. He was healthy this past season and proved to be one of the top pass-blockers in the nation.

His addition should solidify the spot for years to come. It might not be enough for fans to forgive Jerry and Stephen Jones for letting Tyron Smith walk in free agency, but they at least land a plug-and-play starter, while picking up an additional top-100 selection. Not a bad first night at all.

Round 2, Pick 56: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

Adding Jordan Morgan will help the offensive line tremendously since it shores up their left tackle spot and keeps Tyler Smith at left guard — giving them a solid duo on the left side. Now the Cowboys turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball in Round 2.

Again, trading down is a possibility, but with one of the top linebackers in the class still available, it makes sense to stay put. Dallas does that in this mock and adds Edgerrin Cooper from Texas A&M.

Cooper went off in 2023 with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. Measuring in at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Cooper showed off his talent by running a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash while hitting 34.5 inches on the vertical jump.

Dallas added Eric Kendricks in the offseason, giving them a veteran leader for their linebacking corps. However, they still don't know what DeMarvion Overshown will be after missing his rookie campaign and Mike Zimmer might want to move Markquese Bell back to safety.

Putting Cooper out there gives them another youngster to groom alongside Overshown and Damone Clark — and he could wind up being the best of the bunch.

Round 3, Pick 87: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

Where Dallas was right: Allowing Tony Pollard to leave in free agency.

Where Dallas was wrong: Not replacing him with a legitimate starter.

The Tennessee Titans indeed overpaid for Pollard. As good as he was during his five-year tenure in Dallas, Pollard couldn't take advantage when he was the lead back. He's best served in a committee and the Titans paid him to be a franchise back. That's why it was the right move for the Cowboys to stay out of that bidding war.

It doesn't mean they were right to replace him with Royce Freeman and Rico Dowdle. To be fair, both backs are fine and can work in a committee, but neither is going to keep defensive coordinators up at night. They're also not serious home run threats.

MarShawn Lloyd, on the other hand, is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Lloyd started his career with South Carolins and had 573 yards rushing, 176 receiving, and 11 total touchdowns in 2022. He then headed to USC, where he ran for 820 yards and caught 13 passes for another 232 yards. Lloyd finished his lone season in Southern Cal with an average of 7.1 yards per rushing attempt and 17.8 per reception.

He's also unlikely to be a bell-cow with 20-plus carries per game. But he can be dangerous if thrown into the committee with the aforementioned backs.

Round 3, Pick 93: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia

In a normal draft, it would be hard to see someone with the talent of Sedrick Van Pran on the board at No. 93. Thankfully, for the Cowboys, it isn't a normal draft.

There are several talented offensive linemen who are all going to go early. That means players such as Van Pran — who might have been a Round 2 candidate any other year — could be there near the end of Round 3. In this mock, Dallas uses the extra pick they got from the Ravens in the earlier trade to bring in the UGA center.

Van Pran is a gritty player who understands his role. He was one of the more consistent lineman on some impressive units for the Bulldogs and should be a starter early in his NFL career.

During the NFL Combine, the Cowboys had a formal meeting with Van Pran and he said afterward he felt as though he "aced" that meeting.

With Tyler Biadasz leaving in free agency, the Cowboys don't have a true starting center on the roster. This selection changes that and their decision to drop back earlier means they addressed the hole at left tackle and center with their first pick. If they could pull this off, it would be a major win.

Round 5, Pick 174; Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee

The Cowboys hit another home run at pick 174 with Kamal Hadden still on the board. The Tennessee cornerback stands 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds and excelleled in pass coverage. In his final seasons with the Vols, he had 33 tackles, broke up eight passes, and hauled in three interceptions.

Dallas didn't re-sign Stephon Gilmore but still feels good about their top three cornerbacks. Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis can all get the job done but Hadden offers more depth — which is always a plus involving pass coverage.

Round 6, Pick 195: Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa

Another trade, although this time, the Cowboys move up. Dallas sends their sixth-round pick (No. 216) as well as their sixth-rounder in 2025 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for pick No. 195.

This might not be popular either since they went into this draft without much capital but it would be worth it to pick Khristian Boyd from Northern Iowa. Despite playing for a small school, Boyd has immense potential as a 3-tech despite being nearly 320 pounds. Solid against both the run and the pass, he would fill a need and could prove to be a starter with the right coaching.

Round 7, Pick 233: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas

Dallas doubles up on linebackers with the addition of Jaylan Ford in Round 7. Ford stands 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds and started for two years with the Longhorns. He had more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons while picking off six passes.

Even with the impressive numbers, Ford is seen as a late-round pick. His field awareness and lack of consistency are cited as concerns. But Ford has the physical traits for the position, making him worth a flier with the first of two picks in this round.

Round 7, Pick 244: David White, Jr., WR, Western Carolina

The Western Carolina Catamounts don't turn out NFL players very often but David White, Jr. could be the exception. Standing 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he looks the part and was able to get deep often during his collegiate career. White averaged 18.8 yards per catch in 2022 and 15.9 in 2023.

Dallas leaned heavily on CeeDee Lamb in 2023 and will do so again in 2024 with Michael Gallup gone. They need to figure out how to get Brandin Cooks involved more but also need someone to step up as WR3. Jalen Tolbert has the inside track but there's no reason someone can't steal snaps — even if it's a seventh-round pick such as White.

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