Cowboys exec Stephen Jones discusses team's top needs in 2024 NFL Draft

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.

Discussing the team’s needs, which now include a starting left tackle, a starting center, and a starting defensive tackle, executive vice president of player personnel Stephen Jones revealed how he believes the draft fits.

“I think the draft aligns a little bit with our needs,” Jones said at annual league meetings this week. “I think the deepest position in this draft is offensive line. Every year, you’re wanting to bring young guys into the fold in terms of your offensive line depth and how we work that aligns very well with us.”

“Because of the depth at that position, there’s a pretty good chance we take an offensive lineman pretty high in this draft,” he added.

Starting center Tyler Biadasz left Dallas for a new three-year deal with the Washington Commanders, which was one of the biggest new contracts signed by a Cowboys free agent. Meanwhile, 12-year starter Tyron Smith signed for a minimum of $6.5 million to become the Jets’ starting left tackle. Drafting offensive linemen in the first round of the draft has worked well for Dallas the last handful of times that they’ve done it.

Cowboys retain high expectations for Mazi Smith

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is focused on beefing up his unit, which the team attempted to do last year by drafting Mazi Smith in the first round. The team let multiple defensive tackles leave this offseason, however, which means they’ll probably need one or more in the draft – or in the days following the draft.

“I think another year with Mazi – I know Zim is looking forward to working with him – I just think that Mazi is going to step up and be a really good football player,” Jones told reporters. “There’s usually big defensive tackles out there that you can pick up. I know the Eagles picked up a couple a couple years ago late in the game. I just feel like there’s gonna be some opportunities there at that position as well to add some depth and competition for camp.”

The list of defensive tackles the Cowboys met with formally at the Scouting Combine includes McKinnley Jackson of Texas A&M, Maason Smith of LSU, Kris Jenkins of Michigan, Ruke Orhorhoro of Clemson, and T’Vondre Sweat of Texas.

Cowboys own seven picks in 2024 NFL Draft

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.

The Arizona Cardinals own the most picks in the 2024 NFL Draft with 13. Four teams own 11 selections – the Packers, 49ers, Rams and Bills.