2021 Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft 2.0
With all of the big trade speculation near the top of the draft, the Dallas Cowboys seem perfectly content at the 10th spot as they’ll let an elite playmaker join their team for their run at a Super Bowl. They are in win-now mode and are looking to add an impact player at either corner or along the offensive line. Luckily for them, it seems that the rush on QBs and receivers, both of which they don’t need, will push the rest of the positions back to them at 10. It’s as if their pick is in the top 3 and not at 10. They should have their choice at most, if not all, of the elite play makers that they need.
They are one of the best positioned teams in the draft. Their needs are mainly restricted to cornerback and along the offensive and defensive lines. They are in the perfect spot to have their pick of the best corner in the draft to address their biggest need. There are roughly two or three elite corners between Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley, and Jaycee Horn. Almost any other year would see a couple, if not all 3 go in the top 10. There are no truly elite tackles (possibly Sewell although some have Slater above him) or pass rushers in the draft, but both positions are fairly deep with solid talent. In our They’re able to get their lock-down corner, while not missing out on a pure game wrecking pass rusher or All-Pro tackle, and can then use their second and third round selections on both sides of the line.
The Dallas Cowboys own the 10th and 44th overall picks in this year’s draft.
10TH OVERALL PICK: CB PATRICK SURTAIN II (ALABAMA)
Their biggest need is cornerback and they should be able to have their pick of any in this draft. A Nick Bosa or Chase Young-type pass rusher is missing from this year’s draft, which makes this selection a true no-brainer. Some mock drafts have them selecting tackle Rashawn Slater, if he falls which we don’t project, but that need isn’t as strong as corner. In our Cowboys mock draft, they take advantage of the depth along both lines in later rounds and they choose a corner to be able to step in on day 1 and help to completely change their secondary.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis pick became even more of a lock as their division rivals have already or are looking to improve at the receiver position. The Giants signed Kenny Golladay, Washington added Curtis Samuel, and the Eagles at some point would have to draft a receiver. The Cowboys can answer by drafting a corner who can completely eliminate an opposing receiver. This takes pressure off of newly acquired defenders Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal to do what they do best, roam and create havoc. Coupling Surtain with Trevon Diggs would suddenly give the Cowboys one of the best young duo of corners in the league.
Some draft boards have Caleb Farley jumping up to the highest rated corner. Surtain should be the undisputed pick to Dallas for several major reasons. First, Farley is not a true corner, but rather a converted receiver, which is part of the reason for his size and speed being impressive compared to the rest of his position class. He opted out last season and doesn’t have anywhere near the experience the other top corners do. Surtain II also played against the most elite receivers, in practice and in games. You would be hard pressed to find another corner to match up on so many truly elite pass catchers day in and day out for several years. In practice his matchups were Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith and in games he matched up against Ja’Marr Chase.
44TH OVERALL PICK: DE CARLOS BASHAM JR. (WAKE FOREST)
This pick in our Cowboys mock draft 2.0, was also the same from version 1.0, although Basham is climbing on several boards. When discussing earlier about the depth at the pass rusher position, this is a great example of it. Although not a first-round selection, he could contribute immediately to a defensive line starved for depth.
Aldon Smith, who was brought in as a desperation signing due to Randy Gregory’s suspension and instead of being used as a situation pass rusher, he ended up playing the third most snaps on the team. His 73.01% of defensive snaps played, ranked only behind Jaylon Smith and Xavier Woods. In his first 8 games he notched 5 sacks; however, had none the rest of the way. The Cowboys were so thin that a player who had not played since 2015 had their third most snaps. Picking Basham, who is fast enough to be an edge rusher yet big enough to occasionally play inside, would help to bring a true rotation to the line.
Embed from Getty ImagesI believe at least 2 of the Cowboy’s first 4 picks will be spent along the defensive line. Adding depth through the draft, to go along with one veteran signing at the defensive tackle position, would enable Dan Quinn to utilize a true rotation. Their pass rushers will be just as fresh down the stretch and into the postseason and they were in the first half of the year. Despite the big trade within the top 10, our Cowboys mock draft 2.0 sees the team as largely unaffected by this and will instead focus on their biggest area in need…cornerback.
