Cowboys add fireworks on offense in 7-round 2024 mock draft

Round 7, Pick 231: Evan Anderson, DT, Florida Atlantic

With Mike Zimmer taking over as the defensive coordinator, there's a reason for hope when it comes to Mazi Smith. For as much good as Dan Quinn did during his tenure in Dallas, his approach with Smith was very confusing. After playing at roughly 330 pounds for Michigan, the Cowboys had Smith drop roughly 30 pounds and moved him to the 3-tech.

Smith wound up struggling as he was playing out of position and lost some of the strength that made him a stout run defender. He was also buried on the depth chart since Dallas has a roster full of 3-techs. Looking ahead to 2024, Smith needs to move back to the nose but the Cowboys should still add more depth to the position considering how awful they were against the run.

That's why their first of two picks in the final round is used on Evan Anderson of Florida Atlantic. Listed at 6-3 and 356 pounds, Anderson is a massive individual who had 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2023. He likely won't get after the quarterback as much in the NFL but can still be a force against the run. Anderson can work behind Smith — and possibly Johnathan Hankins if he's re-signed — give the Cowboys more than one player capable of clogging the running lanes.