NFL
By: Greg Rector
Welcome back to Cowboys Corner. It’s that time of the year again to take the big stab in the dark at the possible way the 2021 NFL Draft will shake out for the Dallas Cowboys. I have been watching plenty of film and doing mock simulations for a few weeks now. Given the current lack of a salary cap, the uncertainty of Dak Prescott’s contract, etc… I am going to do one set of the possible 10 picks the Cowboys make assuming Dak gets re-signed and another scenario where the Cowboys have decided to move in another direction. First up the 10 picks with Dak staying in Dallas.
Round One 10th pick- Two names keep popping up here. Sorry Trevon Diggs, your Alabama cohort Patrick Surtain III keeps going before the 10th pick. Simulation after simulation keeps having the Cowboys go with Corner Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech or Rashawn Slater the Offensive Tackle from Northwestern. Now y’all know I am a defense-first guy, however, the flexibility that Slater gives you on the line is awfully tempting to not go that route. Given the situation, with Tyron Smith, I was very tempted to go Slater, but after a lot of consideration, the pick here is CALEB FARLEY. New defensive co-ordinator Quinn gets his big physical corner. Every measurement on Farley screams can’t miss. 6’2″ 207 lbs and his film backs up the hype. Granted he opted out of the 2020 college season, however, I don’t think that will set him back one bit. Some mocks have the Cowboys taking another edge guy from that “School Up North,” Kwity Paye. No thanks. My personal distaste for that school along with the recent failure of another Michigan high pick (Taco Charlton) I am taking a hard pass, sorry Joe….lol
Round Two- Trevon Moehrig-Woodard – Safety TCU
6’2″ 202 lbs Would be a very good compliment to Donovan Wilson.
Round Three – Talanoa Hufanga – Safety USC
6′ !” 215 lbs Why another safety? The secondary needs depth and they won’t re-sign all the free agents. This is also for special teams.
Round Three- Hamsah Nasirildeen – CB/S, Florida State
His versatility to play both positions is simply too tempting to pass on. at 6’3″ 210 lbs he also is in the mold of a Dan Quinn secondary player.
Round Four – Jaylon Tyman- DT Pittsburgh
6′ 2″ 290 lbs opted out of the 2020 season, however, in 2019 he had 41 tackles, 12 of them for losses and 10.5 sacks. Nice depth addition on a guy with upside.
Round Five- Derrick Barnes – LB Purdue
6 .05″ 245 lbs Barnes has played both LB and on the Edge (2019) Speed and his ability to rush either from the second level or occasionally from the down technique makes Barnes a tempting target here.
Round Six – James Empey – IOL BYU
6’4″ 305 lbs Empey is a depth addition, all you can ask for in round six. He needs to add some weight but technically played center very well in both run and pass blocking. Not sure if the Cowboys keep Joe Looney, so this is why I give him a late-round shot.
Round Seven-K.J. Britt – LB Auburn
6′ 0″ 239 lbs Britt is something of a throwback linebacker. He isn’t fast however he does one thing awfully well IMO, makes tackles, especially against the run. A definite two-down LB who is coming off a lost season thanks to thumb surgery.
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Seven Rounds – Trade Involved
Trading back is a definite option for the Cowboys, especially if there’s someone like Trey Lance the NDSU quarterback is still on the board. Plenty of teams would be interested in Lance at the 10th spot. This would also be a way to add more picks. So for this scenario, I traded down to the 15th slot with New England. This also gives us the 46th pick in round two.
First Round – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB Notre Dame
Cover three will be utilized the majority of the time by Dan Quinn. The Cowboys gave up way too many big plays on the ground and in the air last year. Koramoah is the absolute best pass coverage linebacker in this draft, There’s also plenty of talk regarding Jaylon Smith’s future or lack thereof with Dallas. Koramoah is also good against the run and in sub-packages can be used as a box safety. Think of what Seattle does with Jamal Adams. at 6′ 2″ and 218 lbs he can instantly upgrade the biggest reason the Cowboys defense struggled last year, a lack of speed.
Round Two- Liam Eichenberg OT Notre Dame
Eichenberg is an NFL-ready tackle IMO. 6′ 6″ 305 lbs the exact type of lineman the Cowboys love. Put him at LG and let him learn from Tyron Smith. That way as well you can slide him outside if Smith struggles coming back off his surgery or gets injured. He isn’t ultra-quick but he did a very good job protecting a mobile, unpredictable QB in Ian Book.
Round Two- Greg Newsome Corner Northwestern
At 6’1″ and 190 lbs Newsome would be an ideal choice here at the 46th pick. Watch his film and you can see why Big Ten teams didn’t attack him. A long corner who has tremendous ability to get himself into a position to make plays. 9 pass breakups in just 6 games. He would be an absolute steal here.
Round Three – Kelvin Joseph Corner Kentucky
6’1″ 197 lbs Joseph is known for giving up one big play to Kyle Pitts when Kentucky played Florida. Guess what he pretty much shut down Pitts the rest of that game. Also showed well against Alabama. You can’t be afraid to stock the cupboard with guys who fit into the Cover three scheme. Joseph also does well in press coverage. He had 4 picks for the Wildcats.
Round Three- Talanoa Hufanga Safety USC
Dear Cowboys brain trust, I know you do not value the Safety position, but in 2021 you better do so. Hufanga is 6’1″ 215 lbs and is a physical safety that can make tackles and is a BALLHAWK!!! If he is there at 99 this would be an ideal choice. This kid is downright nasty and ranks right around this area of most draft boards.
Round Four – Monty Rice Linebacker Georgia
Rice is 6’0″ 238 lbs and is a developmental guy who could contribute immediately though on special teams. Good replacement for either a Joe Thomas or Justin March if neither returns to the Cowboys.
Round Four – Tariq Thompson Safety San Diego State
A 6′ 0″ 200 lb Safety. This guy is versatile. What stood out for me is his willingness to be a tackler against the run. As we all know the Cowboys run defense was abhorrent. Because he is versatile Thompson can cover well enough downfield but is best suited to slot coverage in the passing game.
Round Five – Tre Mckitty Tight End Georgia
6′ 4″ 247 lbs and projects as a TE2. One of his best attributes is his run blocking ability. Decent enough receiver and in this era of more two TE sets could develop nicely.
Round Six – Khyiris Tonga Defensive Tackle Brigham Young University
Time for the interior of the defensive line. Tonga is 6′ 4″ 322 lbs. Plays well against the run (Notice I am focusing on run-stopping?) and has the prototypical bull rush ability. Needs to improve his disengagement from blockers but that’s always the case for any DT coming up to the pro level.
Round Six – Jonathan Cooper EDGE Ohio State
6′ 3″ 255 lbs Cooper has been primarily more of the more complimentary type of player for the Buckeyes behind the bigger names from that vaunted program. A leader though as he was a team captain this year, and showed well at the Senior Bowl.
Round Seven – Feleipe Franks Quarterback Arkansas
Why not give old JJ at least one Razorback? (His alma mater) 6’6″ 224 lb quarterback transferred from Florida went to a weaker program and acquitted himself well in Fayetteville.
