Even if the Dallas Cowboys spent money in free agency, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that they would draft an offensive tackle early. Losing Tyron Smith is a devastating blow, but the 2024 tackle class is incredibly deep.
The Cowboys are undecided whether to move Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle. Smith finished a Second-Team All-Pro in 2023 in his first season at guard and could develop into the game's premier LG so there's a wide-ranging debate about where he should play in 2024 and beyond.
Regardless, the Cowboys should be able to net a quality tackle with the 24th pick. Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State would be a dream, but they have virtaully no chance of falling that far.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the best (and most realistic) tackle options for the Cowboys in this draft.
5. Amarius Mims, Georgia
Mims made just eight starts at Georgia due to injury, but his physical profile and Pro Bowl ceiling all but ensure he won't make it out of the first round. At 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, Mims engulfs edge rushers with his power and wingspan.
The former Bulldog is far from a polished prospect, but he didn't allow any sacks in college. He dominated when healthy. Overall, Mims would be a risky pick given his lack of experience, but the Cowboys champion the draft-and-develop philosophy.
A right tackle prospect, Mims could replace Terence Steele in 2025 if Steele has another down season following ACL surgery. Assuming Steele's contract isn't restructured before the 2024 season, Dallas can get out of his deal very easily next offseason.
4. Graham Barton, Duke
Barton is a popular choice fans for the Cowboys' first-round pick. He played center his first year at Duke, but transitioned to left tackle over the last three seasons. Many draft experts project center as Barton's best position in the NFL, but his versatility will allow him to wear multiple hats on the line.
There's a debate to be had about the value of taking a center in round one, but Dallas did that once upon a time with Travis Frederick (No. 31 overall in 2013) and it was a great decision. The Cowboys badly need to upgrade at center and Barton's bulldog mentality would do wonders for the run game.
3. J.C. Latham, Alabama
Some mock drafts have Latham going as high as No. 11 overall, while others have him slipping as far as the mid-20s. That could be due to his rawness. He'll be just 21 years old as a rookie and drew 18 penalties in his final two seasons at Alabama.
Latham's quickness in pass-pro leaves something to be desired, but his power makes up for it and he's a wrecking ball in the run game. Pound for pound, Latham might be the strongest player in the draft. The only knock? He's a right tackle and might not have the agility and foot quickness to play left tackle.
2. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
A projected top-20 pick, Fashanu was a fortress at left tackle for Penn State. Over his final two seasons, Fashanu didn't allow a single sack and gave up just one quarterback hit and 16 hurries, per Pro Football Focus. He was a team captain and is praised for being a low-maintenance character.
Fashanu has some of the best footwork of any OL in the 2024 class. His power and strength are passable, but those will improve with time being he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft. He'd be a dream get for the Cowboys in the first round.
1. Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu is expected to come off the board early, but there's a small chance he falls within the Cowboys' range of picks. If that happens, it would be equivalent to when CeeDee Lamb fell to Dallas back in 2020.
Fautanu allowed just three sacks in college on a whopping 1,255 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus, but he's just as ferocious as a run-blocker. He largely played LT at Washington, but has experience at left guard and right tackle. He could play all five positions along the line in the NFL.