Day 2 mock draft roundup: Cowboys continue to address their biggest roster “needs”

What will the Cowboys do on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys decision to trade down from No. 24 with the Detroit Lions, and then draft the offensive tackle out of Oklahoma Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick in the first-round, fills a major roster need. They now have their future LT to replace Tyron Smith and hopefully lock down the position for the foreseeable future.

They still have a lot of work to do though. The selections they make in the second and third rounds on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft could be equally as impactful as the selection of Guyton. They need to hit on these picks and getting that extra third-rounder (73rd overall) increases their chances of landing another starting caliber player as a rookie.

With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at who the draft analysts are predicting the Dallas Cowboys select with the 56th, 73rd, and 87th overall picks today.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

56. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

73. Dallas Cowboys (from MIN via DET): Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

With the additional third-rounder the Cowboys picked up by trading back in Round 1, they should be able to find linebacker depth. Here, they get the athletic Wallace.

87. Dallas Cowboys: Dominick Puni, G/C, Kansas

Dane Brugler predicts the Cowboys find their replacements for Tony Pollard and Tyler Biadasz, as well as add much-needed depth at linebacker with their next three picks. Looks as if Dallas will continue to target their top roster “needs”.

John Kosko and Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus

56) DALLAS COWBOYS: RB TREY BENSON, FLORIDA STATE

Benson brings an NFL build and athleticism to the table in all categories of explosiveness, but he is too focused on his athletic abilities and needs more patience to maximize his athletic gifts.

73) DALLAS COWBOYS (VIA DETROIT FROM MINNESOTA): DI RUKE ORHORHORO, CLEMSON

Orhorhoro is a versatile defensive lineman who can be a high-floor player at defensive end or defensive tackle. However, he needs to develop technical pass-rush moves to be more than a rotational player.

87) DALLAS COWBOYS: WR JALEN MCMILLAN, WASHINGTON

Washington continued to prioritize McMillan in its passing attack, even with players like Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk on the roster. His nuances give him a high floor as a WR2/3.

The guys from PFF predict the Cowboys find the replacements for Tony Pollard and Michael Gallup in Trey Benson and Jalen McMillan, as well as add some much-needed depth at potentially both defensive end and defensive tackle in Ruke Orhorhoro.

K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire

2.60: Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper

The Cowboys are able to solve their linebacker problem here after picking up that coveted fourth rounder, even as that’s at the back-end of that round. Edgerring Cooper is a top-tier consideration, ranked No. 41 on Cowboys Wire’s big board, ahead of Guyton.

He’ll plug into the middle linebacker spot eventually, taking over for Eric Kendricks who was signed to just a one-year deal in free agency.

Cooper was a 30 visitor.

73: Florida State RB Trey Benson

Another 30 visitor, one of numerous running backs, Benson gives the Cowboys the lead back they so desperately need after losing Tony Pollard in free agency. Benson possesses the breakaway speed, running a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash. He has excellent contact balance and has been part of a load share so he’s a fresh 21-years old and not already run into the ground.

3.90: Arizona WR Jacob Cowing

During the first half of Dak Prescott’s career in Dallas, Cole Beasley was his reliable security blanket. A diminuitive slot demon, Beasley could get open virtually any time he wanted, and that’s exactly the skillset Jacob Cowing would bring to Dallas’ offense.

K.D. Drummond gets little trade happy, but continues to target the positions of “need” for the Dallas Cowboys. He lands a new starting RB, upgrades the LB position, and add some intriguing depth to Dallas’ aerial attack with his Day 2 picks for the Cowboys.

BR NFL Scouting Department, Bleacher Report

56. Dallas Cowboys: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas (7.1)

73. Dallas Cowboys: WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama (6.8)

87. Dallas Cowboys: OL Hunter Nourzad, Penn State (6.9)

The trend continues. Tony Pollard out, Jonathan Brooks in. Michael Gallup out, Jermaine Burton in. Tyler Biadasz out, Hunter Nouzad in.

Will Helms, Pro Football Network

56) Dallas Cowboys: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

The Cowboys’ love for Jonathon Brooks is one of the worst-kept secrets in the draft. The Texas running back is coming off an ACL injury but was explosive when healthy and worked his way into the RB1 discussion with excellent play early last season.

73) Dallas Cowboys: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia

Many people thought Dallas should have grabbed Graham Barton instead of trading back in the first round. Here, the Cowboys take another capable center in Sedrick Van Pran-Granger with the extra pick they received from Detroit.

87) Dallas Cowboys: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

T’Vondre Sweat has had some off-the-field issues that have dropped him down draft boards. However, the massive interior defender plays the run well and would beef up a weak Cowboys run defense.

Will Helms continues the trend of Jonathan Brooks to the Dallas Cowboys, while also upgrading their trenches with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and T’Vondre Sweat.

Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports

Round 2, Pick 56th: LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Jerry Jones straight up raved about RB Jonathon Brooks while fielding a question about the running back’s health but in this scenario, he’s gone to the New Orleans Saints at 45th.

The Cowboys still address a top need by taking the athletic Edgerrin Cooper, who makes up with speed and ranginess what he lacks in size.

Round 3, Pick 73rd: iOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

The Cowboys didn’t rule out double-dipping at offensive line and adding Beebe gives them a potential center if they get him snapping the ball efficiently. In the third round, Beebe could be a major steal by Dallas.

He’d be in a competition with Brock Hoffman for the starting role at center.

Round 3, Pick 87th: ED Bralen Trice, Washington

Don’t underestimate the need for an edge rusher the Cowboys have: They’re almost entirely wiped out at running back in this scenario but this front office is building for the future. They get value in Trice here.

DeMarcus Lawrence will hit free agency in 2025 and Sam Williams is the only backup on the EDGE room with experience.

Mauricio Rodriguez not only predicts the Dallas Cowboys bypass the RB position on Day 2, but also end up going heavy on defense with their three picks. It’s an interesting direction to go and one that can’t be completely ruled out.

Chris Trapasso, CBSSports

Round 2 – Pick 56: Zach Frazier iOL West Virginia

More offensive line reinforcement for the Cowboys with the stellar battling center from West Virginia.

No. 73: Dallas Cowboys (from Minnesota through Detroit) – Cole Bishop, S, Utah

No. 87: Dallas Cowboys – Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

Chris Trapasso hits a homerun by predicting the Cowboys landing Zach Frazier at No. 56, but then follow that up with a questionable selection of Cole Bishop at No 73. He then rebounds with an interesting RB in Braelon Allen.

Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated

56. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

73. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit): Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

87. Dallas Cowboys: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

Matt Verderame throws out three new names in his Day 2 predictions for the Dallas Cowboys. Jaylen Wright is a potential Tony Pollard replacement, Ja’Lynn Polk a Michael Gallup one, and Cedrick Gray adds much-needed LB depth