Latest NFL Draft rumors suggest Cowboys may have asinine plan for first round

The NFL Draft is hours away and the rumors are buzzing even for the Dallas Cowboys, who don't pick until No. 24 overall on Thursday night. The Cowboys have been heavily linked with an offensive linemen in the months leading up to the draft, but the latest buzz hints they may be screwed in that regard.

Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network is hearing several teams are interested in trading up for an offensive tackle. That would throw a wrench into Dallas' first-round plans, but it could work to their benefit if they trade back from No. 24 and pivot to one of the top-ranked centers.

West Virginia center Zach Frazier has gained steam as a potential target. The Cowboys had a formal meeting with Frazier at the Combine, but they did not host him for a 30 visit. That may be viewed as a red flag, but it actually might speak to Dallas' conviction in the former Mountaineer.

Based on what Cowboys insider Jane Slater is hearing, though, the team could throw fans a curveball for the ages on Thursday. Per Slater, Dallas could trade back in the first round if the two offensive linemen they like are gone and select ... Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.

NFL Draft Rumors: Cowboys could trade back for Texas RB Jonathon Brooks in first round

Slater mentions the Eagles as a potential threat to steal Brooks in the second round. The Eagles pick three slots ahead of the Cowboys in round two, but they also just signed Saquon Barkley to a lucrative three-year $37.75 million contract. It would be unlike GM Howie Roseman to spend a second-round pick on a running back, but nevertheless it seems to be on Dallas' radar.

Either way, the Cowboys drafting Brooks in the first round would be a major mistake. It would be a questionable use of resources even if Brooks wasn't coming off a torn ACL. Though Brooks is expected to be ready for training camp, the injury would only raise more questions about the pick.

Though Slater noted that Dallas could get an offensive tackle in the second round and a center in round three, the drop-off at OT is steep after the consensus top prospects. At that point, they'd have to hope BYU's Kingsley Suamataia or Notre Dame's Blake Fisher falls to No. 56. They'd also be forced to settle for one of the lower-ranked centers and the position isn't deep to begin with.

In a perfect world, the Cowboys trade back in round one, take the best available linemen (most likely Zach Frazier), take Brooks in round two then circle back to a tackle in round three. They could even bypass Brooks for a tackle and target the best available running back in the third.

Anything seems more logical than taking Brooks in the first round, though.

More Cowboys coverage