High Five: Can Cowboys Continue Success With No. 24 Pick in NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys have picked four players with the 24th overall pick in the NFL Draft, and all four went to at least one Pro Bowl.

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Dec 10, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Dallas Cowboys get a high five? When they draft No. 24 overall in the April 25 NFL Draft, they'll do it with a rich history of success.

The Cowboys have drafted four players 24th overall in their history, and all four went on to make at least one Pro Bowl. We're not sure that's momentum, pressure, or neither.

But we are certain that Calvin Hill (1969), Robert Jones (1992), Dez Bryant (2010) and Tyler Smith (2022) is a pretty strong quartet to amass from one slot in the draft.

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Dec 10, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Hill (1969) was an All-Pro running back for Dallas in the 1970s. He was the franchise's first 1,000-yard runner, made four Pro Bowls, was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a key member of the team that won Super Bowl VI. Jones (1992) started at middle linebacker as a rookie, made the Pro Bowl in 1993 and wound up with three Super Bowl rings.

Bryant (2010) played eight seasons with the Cowboys and was a three-time Pro Bowl player, first-team All-Pro, and the NFL receiving touchdowns leader in 2014. In just his second season in 2023, Smith made both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro at left guard and is being counted on as the anchor of the offensive line and aging stars Tyron Smith and Zack Martin leave and/or wind down their careers.

With a variety of needs including running back, center, left tackle, receiver and size in the secondary, Dallas could go a number of directions with its first-round pick. Or, as one mock draft suggest, they could even trade in the Top 20 to get their guy.

But history suggests sticking at No. 24 will present them with a Pro Bowl player.

Other recent No. 24 selections by other NFL teams include Steelers' running back Najee Harris, Packers' running back Josh Jacobs and Bears' receiver D.J. Moore.