Dallas Cowboys 5-round mock draft: OT JC Latham, DI T'Vondre Sweat bring more size to Dallas

• Round 1, Pick 22: OT JC Latham, Alabama: Latham is listed at 6-foot-6 and 360 pounds, ranking in the 61st and 98th percentiles, respectively.

• Round 3, Pick 86: DI T'Vondre Sweat, Texas: He currently has a 91.9 overall grade and a 90.9 run-defense grade, stemming from 21 solo stops in run defense and an average depth of tackle of 0.22 yards.

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Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Dallas Cowboys and their fans don’t have their sights set on the 2024 NFL Draft quite yet. Clinching a playoff spot comes first, but around here, it’s draft season 24/7.

Knowing that the Cowboys have playoff aspirations makes for a different kind of mock draft, one based on filling their few roster holes or even making their strength stronger to keep that winning window open.

Here is a five-round Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL mock draft.

ROUND 1, PICK 22: OT JC LATHAM, ALABAMA

The Dallas Cowboys‘ offensive line, while not a bad unit, is no longer the unquestioned juggernaut of the past half-decade. Zack Martin is still going strong, and second-year guard Tyler Smith is coming along, as well. But left tackle Tyron Smith is an upcoming free agent, and right tackle Terence Steele has given up the most pressures and has the worst overall blocking grade of the group. Steele’s new contract makes it less likely he would be replaced, but if he doesn’t improve his play, Dallas has to keep its options open. Chances are one of those two spots could need a new face.

Latham is a massive offensive tackle prospect. He is listed at 6-foot-6 and 360 pounds, ranking in the 61st and 98th percentiles, respectively. Though he might have the mass of a guard, he certainly doesn’t move like one. He is nimble on his feet and can cover good ground in his kick slides. He needs to work on maintaining blocks for longer, but that can be done at the pro level.

ROUND 2, PICK 54: CB DENZEL BURKE, OHIO STATE

Losing starting cornerback Trevon Diggs early in the season has hurt this secondary. Still, it’s important to remember that the unit will look far different next year with Diggs back. DaRon Bland has played quite well over the past two seasons, but Stephon Gilmore is in the final year of his deal, as is Jourdan Lewis. One more talented cornerback to lean on would be big for Dallas.

Burke played well during his freshman season before a very up-and-down sophomore year in which he was banged up for some time. This season, he is back to playing some of his best ball. He sports a career-high 82.8 coverage grade of 82.8 and has a very impressive 28.2% forced incompletion percentage on passes thrown his way. If the Cowboys could snag him in the second round, it would bolster a cornerback room already teeming with talent.

ROUND 3, PICK 86: DI T'VONDRE SWEAT, TEXAS

If the Cowboys draft both Latham and Sweat, I’d pay to watch practices of those two going up against one another in one-on-ones. Sweat, like Latham, is not lacking in size. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 362 pounds and is one of the highest-graded defensive linemen in the FBS this season. He currently has a 91.9 overall grade and a 90.9 run-defense grade, stemming from 21 solo stops in run defense and an average depth of tackle of 0.22 yards. That all goes to show how much he controls the line of scrimmage and how little he is moved.

Dallas did draft Mazi Smith in the first round in 2023, but he and Sweat could thrive together in a rotation, with Sweat being more of a nose tackle and Smith more of a penetrating three-technique.

ROUND 4, PICK 122: RB AUDRIC ESTIME, NOTRE DAME

With Tony Pollard on the franchise tag and Ezekiel Elliott gone, the Cowboys could have a new lead back next offseason. They likely won’t go into the draft without a veteran running back on the roster, but Estime would be a solid addition, no matter what. He continues the trend of giving the Cowboys bigger players in this mock draft. Notre Dame has Estime listed at 5-foot-11.5 and 227 pounds. But he’s more than just a big back. He brings good vision and footwork, which have yielded an elite 91.2 rushing grade this season.

ROUND 5, PICK 174: LB CEDRIC GRAY, NORTH CAROLINA

The Cowboys might be on the lookout for linebacker depth come next April. Plus, added manpower at the position is good for special teams, as well. The senior linebacker Gray has been a starter for three years, so inexperience won’t be an issue for him. He has recorded an overall grade above 73.0 in each of the past two seasons, as well as coverage grades above 70.0 in each of the past three seasons.