Projecting 2024 Draft Needs

[McMicah]

There are lots of sliding door scenarios this season, with many potential breakout players that might impact the draft in 2024. Below is one analysis position by position based on what we’ve seen so far. Feel free to respond with your own

QB: Draft need - low.
There’s a part of me that wants us to move on from Dak after this year if he can’t get far in the playoffs, but alas, reality stands in the way. Look for a late round pick to push Rush or Grier.

HB: Draft need - moderate/low
As much as we might all think Pollard is gone next season, I can also see a multi year deal or another franchise tag. Either way, I don’t expect the cowboys to invest high draft capital in a 5 year player

WR: Draft Need - low
Call me crazy, but I think between Tolbert, Cropper, and other guys, we have some juice for the future. Unless a CD-type free fall happens again in 2024, I’m thinking it’ll be a day 3 pick

TE: Draft need - low
Call me crazy, but even if Schoonmaker has a red shirt year, I think the other guys will step up and prove the cowboys don’t need more picks here. I’ve said all along I see Schoon as an IDEAL #2 TE (great blocker with receiver potential) right away. Hope we get to see that this year. Ferg looks like he worked his rear off this off-season

OT: Draft need - Moderate/High
To me, this is a wildcard position. Personally, I’d rather keep Tyler Smith at guard if he plays all pro there this season, which mean Wa-lets-go needs to step up or we need to be surprised by Asim or a UDFA not to draft high. If Tyler switches to OT, see OG

OG: Draft Need - High
Same story as above if Tyler moves. Maybe Asim turns out to be awesome (see what I did there?). Either way, Zack only has 2-3 years left at the position, so we need a new anchor

OC: Draft Need - Moderate
I don’t like Biadasz. If a stud is there in the 2nd or 3rd, I’m taking them

1T: Draft need - Low
No way they give up Mazi that fast. They’ll bring back Hankins or get a late pick

3T: Draft Need - Moderate/High
This all comes down to Fehoko and Gholston. If they show juice, this goes too low. If they stink, this is a high need. Please don’t respond about Alarcon…just don’t

DE: Draft Need - Low (wow)
Even if Lawrence retires, we have some serious studs here. Maybe they get a Fowler type FA or a day 3 pick, but this is a major strength right now

LB: Draft need - High
I think LVE is on a clock, and while I trust Clark to grow, everything else is a complete crap shoot. Maybe Overshown blows up or the lightbulb goes on for Cox, but I think this is a place where we can really upgrade in the draft

CB: Draft need - Low (wow again)
I just trust this group. Even if Gilmore leaves, they are just so deep and so solid. Hot take is that Eric Scott and Bland start next year with Joseph as the #4

S: Draft Need - Low
Too much depth. Heck, even the practice squad guys get me excited

k: HIGH

 

[slick325]

Can't disagree much.

I see G, DT, C, and LB as high priority needs next offseason.

After those positions, RB, QB and PK are on the next tier priority-wise in my mind. Pollard is on the tag and the depth behind him would be question marks. Prescott will be in the last year of his deal (if I'm not mistaken) and although I suspect an extension will get done, it would be wise to consider drafting a mid round QB for development. The PK position is a mystery going into 2023. I hope one of the kickers proves to be "that guy", but until then, PK should be on the list.

CB and DE would be on the third tier. Gilmore isn't going to be in Dallas long and neither will Jourdan Lewis. Their replacements may be on the roster but, depth will be needed. Tank Lawrence isn't getting younger, Armstrong may not be in Dallas much longer and Fowler could move on as well. Thus, keeping the stable full is necessary.

Just my super early thoughts on post 2023 season.

 

[RS12]

Good list. If the team doesnt have a good season I would expect significant changes. If they finish in the 10 win area and does OK in the playoffs they probably focus on premium positions. i am not as high on a lot of the skill players on offense as many are.

 

[rambo2]

There are lots of sliding door scenarios this season, with many potential breakout players that might impact the draft in 2024. Below is one analysis position by position based on what we’ve seen so far. Feel free to respond with your own

QB: Draft need - low.
There’s a part of me that wants us to move on from Dak after this year if he can’t get far in the playoffs, but alas, reality stands in the way. Look for a late round pick to push Rush or Grier.

HB: Draft need - moderate/low
As much as we might all think Pollard is gone next season, I can also see a multi year deal or another franchise tag. Either way, I don’t expect the cowboys to invest high draft capital in a 5 year player

WR: Draft Need - low
Call me crazy, but I think between Tolbert, Cropper, and other guys, we have some juice for the future. Unless a CD-type free fall happens again in 2024, I’m thinking it’ll be a day 3 pick

TE: Draft need - low
Call me crazy, but even if Schoonmaker has a red shirt year, I think the other guys will step up and prove the cowboys don’t need more picks here. I’ve said all along I see Schoon as an IDEAL #2 TE (great blocker with receiver potential) right away. Hope we get to see that this year. Ferg looks like he worked his rear off this off-season

OT: Draft need - Moderate/High
To me, this is a wildcard position. Personally, I’d rather keep Tyler Smith at guard if he plays all pro there this season, which mean Wa-lets-go needs to step up or we need to be surprised by Asim or a UDFA not to draft high. If Tyler switches to OT, see OG

OG: Draft Need - High
Same story as above if Tyler moves. Maybe Asim turns out to be awesome (see what I did there?). Either way, Zack only has 2-3 years left at the position, so we need a new anchor

OC: Draft Need - Moderate
I don’t like Biadasz. If a stud is there in the 2nd or 3rd, I’m taking them

1T: Draft need - Low
No way they give up Mazi that fast. They’ll bring back Hankins or get a late pick

3T: Draft Need - Moderate/High
This all comes down to Fehoko and Gholston. If they show juice, this goes too low. If they stink, this is a high need. Please don’t respond about Alarcon…just don’t

DE: Draft Need - Low (wow)
Even if Lawrence retires, we have some serious studs here. Maybe they get a Fowler type FA or a day 3 pick, but this is a major strength right now

LB: Draft need - High
I think LVE is on a clock, and while I trust Clark to grow, everything else is a complete crap shoot. Maybe Overshown blows up or the lightbulb goes on for Cox, but I think this is a place where we can really upgrade in the draft

CB: Draft need - Low (wow again)
I just trust this group. Even if Gilmore leaves, they are just so deep and so solid. Hot take is that Eric Scott and Bland start next year with Joseph as the #4

S: Draft Need - Low
Too much depth. Heck, even the practice squad guys get me excited

k: HIGH

Oline is the way to go.

 

[rambo2]

Good list. If the team doesnt have a good season I would expect significant changes. If they finish in the 10 win area and does OK in the playoffs they probably focus on premium positions. i am not as high on a lot of the skill players on offense as many are.

They will win double digit games and contend.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Ask me again after FA.

 

[T-RO]

Nice post. I'll respond only where I disagree ...

HB: Draft need - moderate/low
As much as we might all think Pollard is gone next season, I can also see a multi year deal or another franchise tag. Either way, I don’t expect the cowboys to invest high draft capital in a 5 year player

I don't see us keeping Pollard, much as I've been a fan. He'll be nearing the running-back-pumpkin expiration. Another franchise tag would mean $12 mil...not gonna happen. So drafting a RB in first 5 rounds is a lock, IMO.

Please don’t respond about Alarcon…just don’t

Amen to that.

LB: Draft need - High
I think LVE is on a clock, and while I trust Clark to grow, everything else is a complete crap shoot. Maybe Overshown blows up or the lightbulb goes on for Cox, but I think this is a place where we can really upgrade in the draft

LB isn't a premium position. I'd be happy with a modest free agent signing + Clark, Cox, Overshown.

O-line is going to be priority #1, IMO. Might ought to spend two, three...even four picks on the line if there's value. Biadasz is gone, IMO...Smith and Martin are nearing the end. I bet we draft an OT in the first round.

 

[McMicah]

Nice post. I'll respond only where I disagree ...



I don't see us keeping Pollard, much as I've been a fan. He'll be nearing the running-back-pumpkin expiration. Another franchise tag would mean $12 mil...not gonna happen. So drafting a RB in first 5 rounds is a lock, IMO.



Amen to that.


LB isn't a premium position. I'd be happy with a modest free agent signing + Clark, Cox, Overshown.

O-line is going to be priority #1, IMO. Might ought to spend two, three...even four picks on the line if there's value. Biadasz is gone, IMO...Smith and Martin are nearing the end. I bet we draft an OT in the first round.

I agree with you on all points. I’m always struggling with with projecting what I think the FO will do vs what I would do. Usually I land somewhere in the middle. I agree OL is #1. I think if they went 1-2-3 OL I wouldn’t be mad at all. Steele and Tyler S are the only sacred cows. I hope Martin goes 1-2 more years to let us spread that need but not sure after this salary boondoggle

 

[zrinkill]

I believe QB is at least moderate because of injury concerns ....... That surgically repaired ankle has a expiration date.

I had the same injury when I was 23 years old.

I know I am not a super athlete like Dak but bone on bone pain is in his near future.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Edge and WR should both be high priority every year.

Premium positions should always be the priority and you can't have too much talent at WR or too many passrushers.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

As far as WRs go, this corps is only signed for two years - Cooks and Gallup are both FAs after next year. Having an early pick play for a year and then be ready to go when one, if not both, of those guys leaves, makes a lot of sense.

 

[zrinkill]

Bone on bone pain is in his near future.

Just read what I wrote and all I have to say is.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I believe QB is at least moderate

It's probably #1 on my list.

 

[McMicah]

It's probably #1 on my list.

If Dak lays a playoff egg, it would be #1 for me too. I don’t think the FO will ever do that though

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

If Dak lays a playoff egg, it would be #1 for me too. I don’t think the FO will ever do that though

The FO won't do it because it would be stupid. If you release Dak, even as a post June-1 cut, you're paying him ~$25m for the next two years against the cap. And, you're picking in the 20s, so you'd have to give up so much draft capital to move up and get any legitimate prospect that you'd cripple any real improvement over the next 2-3 years. If you do draft a guy in the 20s, you're paying ~$30m against the on the hope that a rookie QB is better than a QB that went to the playoffs three years in a row.

It's a dumb position to take.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If you do draft a guy in the 20s, you're paying ~$30m against the on the hope that a rookie QB is better than a QB that went to the playoffs three years in a row.

Going to the playoffs 3 years in a row isn't the goal.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Going to the playoffs 3 years in a row isn't the goal.

COOL GOOD POINT

I never said it was

 

[big dog cowboy]

COOL GOOD POINT

Thank you!

 

[KingintheNorth]

OL, OL, and OL again.

Tyron is close to done. Steele is about to get PAID. Now add Martin, and think about how petty the Jones' can be.

If you're bored, check out the BYU Tackle and the Duke Tackle (who I think is a Guard). Those are my very early 2024 pet cats.

 

[McMicah]

The FO won't do it because it would be stupid. If you release Dak, even as a post June-1 cut, you're paying him ~$25m for the next two years against the cap. And, you're picking in the 20s, so you'd have to give up so much draft capital to move up and get any legitimate prospect that you'd cripple any real improvement over the next 2-3 years. If you do draft a guy in the 20s, you're paying ~$30m against the on the hope that a rookie QB is better than a QB that went to the playoffs three years in a row.

It's a dumb position to take.

Or you can just be creative and not choose to live in ‘better than average’ land for 10 more years. Why not extend him without a no trade clause? Then this epic qb can be traded for high draft capital. Dallas could even sweeten the deal take taking about 10M of his salary on their own books for a couple years. It’s a fluid league with many work arounds.