ESPN: Dallas Cowboys In 'Real Trouble', Will 'Miss Playoffs' Without Blockbuster NFL Draft Haul

ESPN analysts are predicting doom and gloom for the Dallas Cowboys if they don't find find multiple starters in next week's NFL Draft.

According to ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys' sky is indeed falling. How fast?

On Tuesday morning's Get Up!, assorted network analysts painted this grim picture: The Cowboys have had the worst offseason of any NFL team, have severely mismanaged their salary cap, and are in danger of missing the playoffs this season if they don't find multiple starters in next week's draft.

"If you're just assuming the Cowboys will be a player, to some degree, in the playoffs, you're kidding yourself.," said Louis Riddick. "As presently constructed, this team may not even make the playoffs."

The Cowboys have the second-most regular-season wins (behind only the two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs) during the last three regular seasons, but their postseason failures and lack of moves this offseason is quickly emptying their bandwagon.

From key free-agent losses to Dak Prescott's contract stalemate to stars such as Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb not taking part in offseason workouts at The Star in Frisco, the national narrative is now about the Cowboys suddenly nosediving in 2024. Even their Super Bowl odds have plummeted in the last month.

Help could be on the way in the draft, but which position takes priority?

Since taking Troy Aikman No. 1 overall in 1989, the Cowboys have sort of fallen into their next star quarterbacks. Tony Romo was signed as an undrafted free agent. They selected Prescott in the fourth round. In the last 35 years, Dallas' highest-drafted quarterback is Quincy Carter (53rd overall) in the second round in 2001.

With Prescott potentially able to leave in free agency with zero compensation next March and only Trey Lance with a high ceiling on the roster, is it time for the Cowboys to finally draft a quarterback in the first round? Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. are projected to be available when Dallas picks at No. 24 in the first round.

"I'd be shocked if they take a quarterback because it's the offensive line that needs to be fixed," said ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper. "It's a major issue. What do they do at center and what do they do with Tyler Smith ... leave him at guard or move him out to left tackle? They need two offensive linemen, a running back and a receiver over anything pressing at quarterback."

In Kiper's latest mock draft he predicts the Cowboys in the first two rounds will draft Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton and Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. Would that be enough to save what many believe is a sinking ship?

"This is a pivotal draft. The pressure is on," Kiper added. "The Cowboys are in real trouble if they don't get Dak some immediate help from this draft."