See who experts have the Dallas Cowboys selecting at No. 24

The NFL draft is nearly upon us.

After finishing their season falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round, the Dallas Cowboys own the No. 24 overall pick in the first round.

Dallas has held the No. 24 pick three times in franchise history and has had some success picking in that slot.

The Cowboys selected running back Calvin Hill in 1969, linebacker Robert Jones in 1992 and wide receiver Dez Bryant out of Oklahoma State in 2010 — all of whom were Pro Bowlers.

Who will the Cowboys select this time around?

Here’s who some mock drafts have the Cowboys selecting in the first round with the No. 24 pick.

Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr.

Pro Football Focus’ Austin Gayle (Jan. 17): “Booth, a former five-star recruit, is an aggressive tackler and smooth athlete who improved his PFF grade every year of his Clemson career. The 6-foot, 195-pounder closed the 2021 season with a 78.7 PFF coverage grade, having allowed just 29 receptions for 312 yards on 46 targets. He also allowed just two touchdowns while logging three pass breakups and three picks.”

Georgia LB Nakobe Dean

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah (Jan. 21): “Dean is one of my favorite players in the 2022 class. He oozes instincts and playmaking. However, his lack of ideal size (6-0, 225) will probably cause him to drop a little bit. Landing Dean this low would be a steal for the Cowboys. It would free them up to use All-Pro Micah Parsons more on the edge as a pass rusher.”

Texas A&M OG Kenyon Green

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler (Jan. 19): “Left guard Connor Williams, who probably played his final game in Dallas on Saturday, was a liability for most of the Cowboys’ wild-card game, and the 49ers took advantage. Although Green played predominantly at left guard for the Aggies, he also logged starts at left tackle, right tackle and right guard in 2021 and would give Dallas a versatile blocker who can fill in at several positions if needed.”

Texas A&M DT Demarvin Leal

SB Nation’s James Dator (Feb. 14): “Leal was poised to be one of the top picks in this draft, but didn’t develop the way scouts had hoped in 2021. Still, there’s a ton of value here and I think the Cowboys will see the value in someone with Leal’s natural skillset. A lighter, pass rushing DT in the NFL, there are shades of Aaron Donald to his game, which Dallas will hope to tap into.”

Michigan EDGE David Ojabo

ESPN’s Todd McShay (Feb. 16): “Dallas drafted a star in Micah Parsons last April, but the linebacker was forced into more of an edge rush role last season due to injuries. The question for Dallas is where does it want to predominantly play him going forward. In my eyes, the key is to answer that question and then focus on the other area. Free Parsons up to be even more dominant. The Cowboys could look hard at the linebacker crop and let Parsons rush the QB more, but it’d be difficult for them to pass on Ojabo. Parsons had 13 sacks, but Randy Gregory (six) and Dorance Armstrong (five) were the only other Dallas players to have at least four — and both are free agents. Ojabo’s 11 sacks tied for 11th in the nation last season, and his lightning-fast first step and high-end instincts create problems for blockers.

“With Dalton Schultz hitting free agency, Dallas could kick the tires on Colorado State tight end Trey McBride, too. He’s a matchup problem with elite ball skills. But I think it’s a little early.”

Pro Football Focus’ Seth Galina (Feb. 7): “This pick is really going to depend on what happens with DeMarcus Lawrence. If Lawrence leaves, they’ll need another pass-rusher to pair with Randy Gregory and Micah Parsons. Ojabo is bendy and while he’s still learning to play the position, his potential is through the roof. He played under 50 snaps in 2020 and then exploded alongside Hutchinson this past season to help Michigan win the Big Ten.”

Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

WalterFootball.com (Feb. 15): “Tyron Smith can’t be trusted because he always seems to get hurt. The Cowboys could find his successor with this pick.Trevor Penning has massive size and good athleticism to go with it.”

Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein (Feb. 8): “The Cowboys might have a more pressing need at guard, but it is hard to find tackles with Raimann’s potential, and Tyron Smith isn’t as dominant as he used to be.”

Georgia DL Travon Walker

ESPN’s Mel Kiper (Jan. 19): “Dallas had a disappointing playoff exit, but it still has a lot of young talent, led by do-it-all rookie linebacker Micah Parsons. The organization, however, has looming decisions on several free agents, including Randy Gregory, Dalton Schultz, Michael Gallup, Connor Williams, Leighton Vander Esch and Jayron Kearse. That means we’re going to know in March who the Cowboys have prioritized as guys to bring back and which positions will actually be needs by the time the draft rolls around in late April. Every team covets edge rushers, though.

“Walker, whom McShay recently called “one of the most underrated prospects in the class,” stands out every time I watch the loaded Georgia defense. He can blow up tackles at the point of attack, and he has the physical traits to chase down ball carriers in the run game. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, he has some scheme versatility at the next level.”

Georgia DL Devonte Wyatt

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards (Feb. 4): “Dallas needs to improve up the middle. In previous projections, I have slotted either Devin Lloyd or Nakobe Dean to Dallas, but it makes more sense for them to add a defensive tackle like Wyatt. It can be easy to look at the success of that Georgia front and attribute it to the entire group rather than an individual player but Wyatt was fantastic. He can play the run in addition to pushing the pocket.”

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