The Dallas Cowboys are having an interesting draft so far.
After selecting former Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Tyler Guyton Thursday night with the 29th overall pick, it seemed possible that Dallas would be looking to draft Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones even went out of his way to praise Brooks Friday afternoon.
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on RB Jonathon Brooks, who’s still on the board entering Day 2:
“He’s outstanding. He’s just outstanding. He’s a great football player, we’ve got him high, high, high, and he’s a good player.” pic.twitter.com/MXEEMYATAk
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) April 26, 2024
“He’s outstanding. He’s just outstanding. He’s a great football player, we’ve got him high, high, high, and he’s a good player,” Jones said, via The Coachspeak Index.
Instead of trading up for Brooks, Dallas stayed at No. 56, either hopeful or confident that the running back would fall to them.
He did not, however, as the Carolina Panthers traded up to select the former Longhorn at No. 46, ten picks before Dallas got a chance to pick.
Dallas selected Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland instead.
Cowboys go defense in the second round, selecting Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland.
Jerry Jones spoke highly of Texas RB Jonathon Brooks but the Panthers selected him at No. 46. pic.twitter.com/QRtbQIIICD
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2024
After losing running back Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, drafting running back felt like a no-brainer, especially with him being born and raised in Texas.
The Cowboys also seemingly had the inside track on Brooks. In March, Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. reported that the Cowboys team doctor performed Brooks’ surgery on the torn ACL he suffered in the Longhorns’ win over the TCU Horned Frogs in November. Dallas also hosted the running back on a visit, but in the end, it simply didn’t work out.
Brooks surgery was done by Cowboys team doctor. They have all the intel on his rehab and recovery https://t.co/n7y0GbPDJO
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 20, 2024
Social media had plenty to say about what they felt was a whiff by Jones and the Cowboys.
Texas RB Jonathon Brooks off the Carolina. Now everybody will blame Jerry Jones for talking too highly of him Thursday. Cowboys thought extremely high of him and were OK with the recovery from the ACL. But I'm not so sure Jerry wasn't going a little overboard on purpose.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 27, 2024
Panthers just sniped the Cowboys for Jonathon Brooks. Jerry Jones has to be in shambles
— Jesse Moeller (@JMoeller05) April 27, 2024
Jonathon Brooks is going to the Panthers at No. 46, the Cowboys won’t get Brooks after all that talking 😂😂😂 #DallasCowboys
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) April 27, 2024
Bro I was praying Jonathon Brooks would last till the cowboys pick 😭
— J❌red. (@SerJaredd) April 27, 2024
