Surprise free agency signing opens door for dream Cowboys draft scenario

Dallas Cowboys fans don't have anything to hold onto over the first three days of free agency, but reacting to other happenings around the NFL has helped moved the needle ever so slightly.

As expected, the league's other 31 teams have been busy churning their rosters. Signings of free agents have dominated storylines, but trades involving stars like Brian Burns and Diontae Johnson have kept fans on their toes.

While Jerry Jones is asleep at the wheel, signings and trades could have a domino effect on the Cowboys. Obviously, the Eagles signing Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff directly impacts Dallas. As does the Giants trading for Brian Burns and Dan Quinn's Commanders spending crazy money to improve their roster.

Always thinking outside the box, Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com took note of the Dolphins splashing on center Aaron Brewer. It's a three-year deal worth $21 million for Brewer, so he's without question Miami's new starting center.

Why is that significant? It increases the odds of star center prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson falling to the Cowboys in the first round.

Cowboys could draft Jackson Powers-Johnson thanks to the Dolphins

Whether the Cowboys target Powers-Johnson in round one is likely contingent on whether Tyron Smith re-signs in free agency. Even then, Dallas could still fancy a tackle in the first round. Regardless, the Dolphins signing Brewers removes one team that could steal Powers-Johnson from the Cowboys.

While Tyler Biadasz had great respect in the Cowboys building, he struggled establishing leverage against bigger nose tackles and the running game struggled as a result. It seemingly was an easy decision to let him test free agency. Powers-Johnson, on the other hand, is a player Dallas wouldn't think twice about signing to a second-contract. He's that caliber of prospect.

While tackle is a huge need, there's a reason the draft community is head over heels for Powers-Johnson. The Oregon product is Pro Football Focus' No. 19-ranked overall prospect. He finished his final season with the Ducks with a 85.2 run-blocking grade, including a 87.1 pass-blocking grade in true pass sets.

At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Powers-Johnson is a people-mover in the run game. He also has tremendous versatility having played four of the five OL positions in three seasons at Oregon. Initially viewed as a second-round pick, Powers-Johnson is now considered a lock to hear his name called in round one.

While Biadasz has a competitive fire, Powers-Johnson has the same demeanor with a superior skillset to boot. He's one of the top center prospects of the last decade. If Dallas doesn't like any of the tackles available at pick No. 24, the door has swung wide open for them to land their next Travis Frederick.

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