It’s draft season. A time when you look at what incoming rookies can do for your football team. At times it’s easy to forget that the players that everyone is excited about have never played a down in the NFL. That isn’t to say they won’t be good, but often, we let our excitement run away with our year one expectations for these rookies.
It’s certainly possible for a rookie to come in and be a difference maker in year one the way CeeDee Lamb did in 2020. However, that isn’t always the case. Especially on defense.
Every rookie faces a battle as they make their transition to the NFL. There’s an adjustment that must take place and the defensive side of the football is arguably more challenging for rookies to come in and make a significant impact.
We’ve witnessed first hand how rookie defensive tackles go through some growing pains like Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore have. In 2020, though there was a lot of good, Trevon Diggs faced his fair share of struggles during his first season with the Cowboys.
Again, rookies can make an impact, much like Leighton Vander Esch did in 2018. And then you go back another year and you find Taco Charlton, who made very little impact during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys.
A rookie isn’t a sure bet to hit the ground running in their first year on the field. So why are we acting like whoever they pick at 10 will suddenly transform the 2021 Dallas Cowboys Defense? They might, but there’s a better chance that rookie struggles in year one.
The speed of the game, the physicality, and the mental challenges these players face grows considerably from the opposition they faced in college. And that’s why the Cowboys should continue to scour the free agent and trade market.
Though there are reports the Cowboys have moved from veteran linebacker KJ Wright, they should try and get back to the table with him to provide a really good SAM and WILL linebacker spots.
While they re-signed Jourdan Lewis, the Cowboys should continue to look to bring in cornerback help through free agency or the trade block. The Cowboys aren’t done with free agency, especially as the date when the compensatory pick formula no longer counts toward next year’s selections. And as the draft approaches, more teams may approach the Cowboys about a trade for Michael Gallup.
I get that this draft has to be a hit on the defensive side of the football but this is a deep cornerback class. Teams can find linebackers to help their team throughout the draft. Passing on a generational talent like Kyle Pitts at 10 because you need defense isn’t the way to draft.
Patrick Surtain is the best defensive player in the draft and if the Cowboys picked him it wouldn’t be a solid pick. At the same time, the Cowboys shouldn’t worry themselves with a particular position or side of the ball. We’ve seen Will McClay put together solid drafts throughout his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. This year should be no different.
There is a way that Pitts falls to 10, much like there was a path for CeeDee Lamb to fall to 17, like I wrote about last year. And if Pitts falls to 10, the Dallas Cowboys have to look at their cornerback group later on down the road. And down that road, the Cowboys will have options to help the defense.
That’s why a guy like Parsons is a good choice. He shows instincts that remind of Sean Lee. That coupled with his physical abilities would likely allow him to have an LVE-type impact in a rookie campaign.
I think you probably meant Surtain would be a solid pick if so I agree and also agree if Pitts makes it to 10 you have to pick him no matter what and it looks like to me a older veteran cornerback or safety that is known for tape study and preparation would be a great help in the secondary
The Cowboys had a top tier defense when LVE came in, it was easier for him to blend in. Unless the defense is top tier, Parsons will have normal rookie struggles in year one.
If Pitts falls to them, it’s a done deal. But odds are, he will not fall that far. So back to the Surtain/Horn/Parsons debate. .
There’s a way Pitts falls , not very likely , but there is , just like Ceedee , if he falls , you don’t really have much of a choice , you could trade back and see if you can get a good haul of picks , but same could’ve been said with Ceedee , and we didn’t do that , and we still got Diggs in 2nd round ,
I think staying put and seeing how draft falls is best for boys rn
And let me ask you this , which would you rather have
A boom or bust CB who could be the next elite CB or be another Claiborne ,
Or would you rather have the next Calvin “Megatron” Johnson ?
Take Pitts if he falls. No brainer on that. If he doesn’t then take the best available player. After round 1 we should target DT, SS, WLB and take the best available. 4th round and later I hope they pickup on some hidden gems like LT Landon Young out of KY. Dude has a nasty streak a mile wide and would be a great addition for line depth and could replace Smith in a few years if Smith can stay healthy that long. Also if Pitts is there at 10 look at Kelvin Joseph at CB in 2nd or 3rd round. Admittedly I’m a Homer when it comes to Kentucky football but I hate watching my cowboys miss out on great talent.
I agree Parsons is the guy that can come in and make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. He is the most NFL ready. Take him out of the box, plug him in and let him go make plays. Learning curve much smaller than say CB.
I don’t remember the cowboys having a top tier defense LVE rookie year? Go get the best defensive player in the draft. Don’t overthink it. Doubtful Pitts is available. Every team is lusting for him.
User Picks
Trades
10.
Dallas Cowboys
Kyle Pitts
TE, Florida
44.
Dallas Cowboys
Baron Browning
LB, Ohio State
75.
Dallas Cowboys
Ifeatu Melifonwu
CB, Syracuse
99.
Dallas Cowboys
Ben Cleveland
IOL, Georgia
115.
Dallas Cowboys
Andre Cisco
S, Syracuse
138.
Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Jones II
EDGE, Pittsburgh
179.
Dallas Cowboys
Bobby Brown III
IDL, Texas A&M
192.
Dallas Cowboys
Drew Himmelman
OT, Illinois State
227.
Dallas Cowboys
Demetric Felton
WR, UCLA
238.
Dallas Cowboys
Deommodore Lenoir
CB, Oregon
No straw men arguments, por favor. Nobody is expecting a single draft pick to transform a defense; the point is that Dallas could use notable upgrades at multiple defensive spots, and so it has to be prepared to take multiple shots there. It also very much needs a CB, which is why the notion of landing arguably the most NFL ready of high end CB prospects (Surtain) to go with other defensive picks makes a lot of sense.
You don’t pass on a generational Pitts for a “solid” defender. I remember when Joey Bosa was talked down as only being solid…what if Surtain ends up being a top 5 CB for a decade and Pitts ends up falling between Eric Ebron and Vernon Davis? Whoopsie?
Besides, if Pitts is truly seen by teams as that special, he has no shot of making it to 10. I do think he could fall to 10, but that only happens if teams see him as “just” a top TE prospect and not special.
You young cowboy fans make me laugh we have a historical bad defrnse and like jerrah you guys wouod pick a T E ha ha no wonder we’re a laughing stock of a team