What will the Cowboys draft look like if 2024 isn't the focus?

[DrRage]

The 2024 draft has arrived and the Cowboys are in the midst of their greatest roster building task of the offseason. Utter disregard for free agency has rendered the draft imperative to their survival this coming season, with the future of the coaching staff largely dependent upon its success. As things stand currently, the Cowboys will be hard-pressed to field a competitive team without a couple significant upgrades at some key spots. One, if not two, offensive linemen are needed at the top of the depth chart. A starting running back, starting defensive tackle, a linebacker and a receiver also headline the needs list for 2024. With so many obvious needs on the to-do list, the Cowboys draft outlook this week appears rather predictable. They have to field a competitive team and to do so they have to fill most of the needs listed above. If they want to get to the playoffs again this season, they don’t have much of a choice. But what if this season isn’t the primary goal? What if the Cowboys have their sights set on the big picture and aren’t as determined to plug holes as everyone seems to think they are? At no point this offseason has it seemed as if the Cowboys were focused on getting better this season. Comments from the front office have suggested doing more with less is essentially the plan. The decision makers in Dallas enjoy job security in a way most other front office’s do not. It affords the ability to always keep the big picture in mind and can even result in a somewhat flippant attitude towards the here and now. By this line of thinking, the Cowboys may not feel the pressure to fill obvious holes and that could have an impact on their draft decisions over the weekend. Whether thinking short term or long term, offensive line is still a popular pick for Dallas to make in the first round. It’s a strength in this draft class and a need on the roster. WR is similarly strong this year. The draft is littered with good prospects and there’s a good chance a high value WR will be on the board every time the Cowboys go on the clock this weekend. RB and LB aren’t quite so fortunate since they aren’t particular strong units this year in the draft. A big picture perspective would put these additions in jeopardy since they stand the risk of being over-drafted this weekend given their scarcity. Speaking of scarcity, the defensive tackle class is severely lacking depth in this class and the chances of the Cowboys stumbling upon a good prospect at a good spot in the draft are fairly slim. If the Cowboys really stick to their draft board and overall player rankings, they’ll run the risk of missing out on filling some of their most troublesome roster holes. While this outcome is perfectly reasonable from a big picture perspective, it’s unacceptable to a team placing a high degree of value on this season. Based on the players the Cowboys have met with, it seems LB and RB are high on their wish list and likely to be targeted even if it means over-drafting them. It’s unlikely the Cowboys are truly drafting with a big picture perspective because it’s difficult to believe they’d live with the consequences. The positions they need will likely be the positions they target. In the off chance they do have their sights set on the future and not just the needs of today, they’d likely still select an OT early but also a WR as well. There would be a good chance they miss out on DT and RB and therefore would head into 2024 with some fairly problematic holes on the roster. An offer for Cowboys fans For the best local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Austin American-Statesman. $1 for 6 months Top 5 Cowboys prospects at every position in 2024 NFL draftRanking the top linebacker prospects Cowboys should draft in 2024The top 5 defensive tackles for Cowboys to consider in 2024 draft Email Sign up Like this article? Sign up for the Cowboys Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Cowboys Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/0 ... ys-future/