Who do NFL experts predict the Dallas Cowboys will draft in the first round?
The NFL Draft will take place on April 25-27 in the area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit.
The Dallas Cowboys have been largely quiet during the offseason while losing several starters to other teams and retirement including Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz and Leighton Vander Esch. The Draft will be a huge opportunity for the Cowboys to replenish their roster.
Who do national pundits believe the Cowboys will select with the 24th pick?
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Prediction: OT Graham Barton, Duke
Graham Barton played left tackle at Duke, but as a pro, his fit is likely inside at guard or center. Dallas makes this pick with the intent to move 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle to replace the departed Tyron Smith.
Saad Yousuf, The Atheltic
Prediction: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
But the Cowboys have a glaring need on the left side of the offensive line and have expressed the desire to keep Tyler Smith at left guard. There is a pretty clear line in the sand with this draft class in that there are the top six offensive tackles and then a drop-off. Guyton is toward the bottom of that top six.
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports
Prediction: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
They’re going to have a lot of offensive line options picking at this spot, but if Jerry Jones is serious about being “all in” on this season he’s going to need a center who can step right in and start. That’s why it will be hard to pass on the 6-foot-3, 328-pounder who is generally considered the best center in the draft.
Sayre Bedinger, The Landry Hat
Prediction: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
There’s inherent risk in the NFL Draft no matter what, but then you start talking about taking a guy who started just 15 games in four years at the college level. Not only that, but Tyler Guyton played the right tackle position at Oklahoma, so the Cowboys would be betting on a pure projection here. It’s wild to think that someone like Amarius Mims has played even less, but the name of the game in the NFL Draft is rolling the dice, and when you roll the dice on traits, it’s not always a terrible idea.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
Prediction: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Cowboys don’t have a ton of extra picks laying around, but I could see them being aggressive with Thomas surprisingly still on the board at this juncture. Dallas really needs to add pass-catching threats and might have to trade up to ensure landing one like this LSU product. He’s an explosive talent who can help shield CeeDee Lamb from seeing so many tricked-up coverages.
Arjun Menon, Pro Football Focus
Prediction: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
The Cowboys aren’t favored to take a wide receiver with this pick, but Michael Gallup‘s release opens up the WR3 spot, which they fill with Adonai Mitchell here. With CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks not under contract in 2025, Mitchell could be a secondary weapon in 2024 before taking on a larger role down the road.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Prediction: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that Dallas intends to keep Tyler Smith at left guard, signaling that the Cowboys’ preference for reconfiguring their offensive line would be to look elsewhere for Tyron Smith’s replacement at left tackle. A former H-back, Guyton could entice Jerry Jones with his rare movement ability and 6-8, 322-pound frame, even though he’d be somewhat of a project for a team in need of immediate assistance up front.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Prediction: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
The Cowboys are relatively thin at the receiver position outside of CeeDee Lamb, and they’ve never been a team that’s afraid to make a big splash. Worthy lacks size at just 165 pounds, but he’s blazing fast and was extremely productive for the Longhorns over the past three seasons. Picture a Zay Flowers-type of playmaker in this Dallas offense; Worthy is elusive with the ball in his hands and thrives on short passes that get him yards-after-the-catch opportunities.
Matt Miller, ESPN
Prediction: OT Amarius Mims , Georgia
Dallas let Tyron Smith walk with no obvious replacement on the roster -- at least without creating another hole elsewhere. Mims is easy-moving with elite agility, length and power. He has only started eight games in college after waiting his turn behind 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones and missing time last season with an ankle injury, but those eight games of tape are beautiful. The Cowboys could play Mims at guard and move Tyler Smith to tackle ... Or keep Smith inside and play the ascending Mims on the blindside.
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Prediction: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
An incredible era for Dallas is over with the departure of Tyron Smith. While Tyler Smith likely moves over from guard, they still need to capitalize on this deep offensive line class. The one-year starter at right tackle for Oklahoma moves like a tight end and brings a great compete level, but needs seasoning with his hand placement.
