Joel Klatt projects Dallas Cowboys to add ‘flexibility’ on offensive line

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt broke down his vision for the Dallas Cowboys and their first-round draft pick at No. 24 overall. Klatt has the Cowboys holding on to their position in the first round, not trading up or down, and adding Washington standout Troy Fautanu.

“The Cowboys could do a lot of things but I think they need flexibility up front,” Klatt said. “They need to protect Dak Prescott. There’s a lot of these offensive linemen, Troy Fautanu from Washington. When you talk to people up at that program in Washington, they’ll talk about Rome Odunze, they’ll talk about Troy Fautanu, and what these two guys commit to the program… To me, that would be a solid pick for the Dallas Cowboys.”

Fautanu, a three-year contributor for the Huskies, is projected to come off the board in the range that Dallas picks. He has a history of playing some guard for Washington, though he’s primarily started at left tackle for the past two seasons.

The Cowboys need to replace long-time starting left tackle Tyron Smith, and if they can do it without moving Tyler Smith out of his position at left guard, they’ll probably take that opportunity in the first round. The team also needs to replace starting center Tyler Biadasz before the season begins.

Cowboys weighing option of trading out of first round for draft capital

When reporting on the Cowboys’ favorites in the first round, NFL reporter Jane Slater did not mention Fautanu this week. He could be an option if their top choices are no longer available, however, the NFL Network insider believes Dallas could potentially trade down for more picks, leaving them to draft a tackle in the second round and a center in the third round.

“Graham Barton, Tyler Guyton are guys to keep an eye on and even Amarius Mims,” Slater shared on Thursday morning.

The Cowboys currently own seven picks throughout the 2024 NFL Draft. They have at least one pick in each round, except none in the fourth round. They also have two seventh-round selections.

Slater also shared on Thursday that Dallas has an interest in taking Texas running back Jonathon Brooks with the No. 56 pick in the second round. However, the Eagles, who pick at No. 53, could swipe him first. Brooks was one of several running backs to visit the Cowboys at the Star for a top-30 meeting.