NFL.com identifies Dallas Cowboys’ top five needs in 2024 NFL Draft

Though the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 NFL Draft needs are plentiful, NFL.com writers have managed to narrow them down to the top five this week. According to draft analyst Chad Reuter, the Cowboys’ top needs this year are at offensive tackle, running back, interior offensive line, defensive tackle and wide receiver.

The Dallas Cowboys let the vast majority of their free agents walk when the league new year hit on March 13, which means they have an uphill battle to re-stock before training camp. The upcoming 2024 NFL Draft gives Jerry Jones and his front office plenty of opportunities to bring in new talent or even leverage picks for more selections or to make trades.

“Several Cowboys veterans will not return in 2024, including left tackle Tyron Smith, running back Tony Pollard, center Tyler Biadasz, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and receiver Michael Gallup,” Reuter wrote. “With linebacker Eric Kendricks being the only player at publishing who signed as a free agent from another squad, draft picks at all those positions should get a shot to contribute as rookies.”

Dallas let veterans Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Tyler Biadasz and Johnathan Hankins all leave for new deals in free agency with the Jets, Titans, Commanders and Seahawks, respectively. In addition, they released Leighton Vander Esch for medical reasons and released Michael Gallup to clear some cap space.

Although taking an offensive tackle or a top-rated center in the first round is probably a safe bet, no position group lost more than the defensive line this offseason. On top of Hankins’ departure, the team also lost Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Neville Gallimore. Even if they don’t use a first-round pick on a defensive tackle like they did last season on Mazi Smith, they’ll still need to replenish the group with one or two of their seven selections.

Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft picks

The Cowboys currently own seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They have four of the original picks (RD1.PK24, RD2.PK56, RD3.PK87, and RD7.PK244). Dallas also received two compensatory picks (RD5.PK174, RD6. PK216). They also acquired a seventh-round pick (RD7.PK233) via trade with the Raiders. The only round the team currently does not have a selection in is the fourth.

The Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick to the 49ers last year for former first-round QB Trey Lance. They also gave a fifth-round pick to the Chiefs for a six-round pick in last year’s draft, with which they drafted cornerback Eric Scott Jr. They gave up a sixth-round pick to Houston in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks last offseason as well.