JUST IN: NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has the Cowboys selecting an offensive lineman in the first round of his second mock draft.
Despite being $9 million under the salary cap, the Dallas Cowboys intend to re-sign eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith this offseason.
According to Patrik Walker, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones informed reporters earlier this week at the NFL Scouting Combine that they will have a meeting to talk about the veteran offensive tackle’s prospects of staying in Dallas.
The 33-year-old Smith has been a mainstay of the Cowboys offense and is among the best offensive linemen in the league when healthy. Dallas will have to select Smith in the 2024 NFL Draft if the two sides are unable to reach a mutually beneficial deal.
Cowboys Rumors: In the first round, Dallas makes its inheritance clear to Tyron Smith
Mel Kiper Jr. projects Dallas to select Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Amarius Mims at No. 24 overall in his second mock draft (subscription required).
The 6-foot-7 Mims has only started in eight games over the last three years due to injuries and players ahead of him, the veteran draft analyst notes, so he doesn’t have much experience under his belt.
However, Kiper thinks that because of the young offensive lineman’s potential and versatility as a left and right tackle, teams will select him. In 372 career snaps, Mims has allowed just five pressures overall and zero sacks.
The Cowboys will eventually have to consider life after Smith, which is why Mims is a perfect fit to start the upcoming season right away. Alternatively, if Smith signs a short-term contract extension, Mims could either take Terence Steele’s spot on the right side while he develops or use the year to grow as a reserve before taking over as the starting quarterback in 2025.
