It has been a busy start to the NFL offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, who finished with a 12-5 record, good for first place in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys News Today
After the first wave of free agency, the Cowboys will now look to remaining veterans to fill holes on their roster along with the upcoming NFL Draft. The Cowboys have decisions left to make at running back and offensive tackle, so let’s take a look at how that could be resolved.
Cowboys Draft OT in Latest Mock Draft
In A.J. Schulte’s latest seven-round mock draft, the Cowboys used the No. 24 overall selection on offensive tackle Graham Barton from Duke University.
After losing long-time starting LT Tyron Smith in free agency to the New York Jets, the Cowboys have an immediate need for a starting-caliber offensive tackle. Barton is a prospect reportedly flying up draft boards and fills an immediate need for Dallas.
Barton played in 40 games with Duke, starting 39 of them. The 21-year-old earned all-conference honors in 2022 and 2023. He gives the Cowboys flexibility to build out their best five offensive linemen, whether he or Smith is on the left side.
READ MORE: 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
Analyzing Dallas’ RB Situation
The Cowboys continually refuse to pay running backs, moving on from Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard these last few seasons.
Pollard’s departure to the Tennessee Titans left Dallas without a proven starting running back. Rico Dowdle is currently the most experienced RB and is currently in line to start the season.
The Cowboys also have Deuce Vaughn and Snoop Conner, but neither feels in line to start games for Dallas. It’s possible the Cowboys use a draft pick on a starting-caliber RB, but that could just be a committee with Dowdle.
READ MORE: Who Will Be Cowboys’ Starter in 2024?
Eagles Sign Former Cowboys Quarterback
The division-rival Philadelphia Eagles are stockpiling backup quarterbacks behind Jalen Hurts, and the latest is former Cowboys backup Will Grier, according to reports.
Grier had a successful college football career at West Virginia and was a third-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in 2019. Adding him behind Hurts and former Steelers starter Kenny Pickett, New Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore coached Grier with the Cowboys.
Behind Dak Prescott, Dallas still has viable options with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. They could add a fourth QB for training camp, either a veteran through free agency or a late-round flier on a rookie.