In the second installment of the 2021 Mock Draft Roundup for the Dallas Cowboys, the draft world continues to send defensive players to the Cowboys in an attempt to fix one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2020. Though the names are similar in this edition of the roundup, more and more people are focusing on the cornerback position for Dallas.
In the Mock Draft Roundup 1.0, there was a pretty diverse group of players sent to Dallas including Penei Sewell. As the Cowboys have won another game since then and worsened their draft position by a spot, Sewell has dropped out of all likelihood for the Dallas Cowboys. However, a new name on the offensive side of the ball gets selected by one mock drafter for America's Team.
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
“A tricky spot here, and yet it could be one that the Cowboys exploit. Assuming the Cowboys still believe Dak Prescott is the guy, and if there's a buyer willing to move up for Zach Wilson (or Fields if Wilson goes at No. 2), a trade down would make a lot of sense. And there would be an added benefit of controlling who gets the pick (i.e. not the Washington Football Team or Philadelphia Eagles). There's a chance the Cowboys could slide down — maybe to Atlanta's spot? — and still get the 6-foot-2 corner. He opted out this season, and there would be risk in taking a player who hasn't suited up in over a year. But the Cowboys badly need defensive help at multiple spots.”
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports
“Dallas should have the opportunity to take one of the top cornerback prospects regardless of where they finish in the draft order. Caleb Farley is a big cornerback that can stabilize that position a bit in Dallas.”
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
“I thought about a couple of ventures here for the Cowboys in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft. The offensive line, quarterback, or even another pass rusher came to mind. However, the value of an excellent man-to-man coverage corner to Dallas, who is set to face an overhaul in their corner room, is too good to pass up. I do believe that the team will extend Dak Prescott, which expands the options for this pick.”
AJ Schulte, Pro Football Network
Dallas desperately needs an infusion of talent on the defensive side of the ball. There are so many issues to fix, including on the coaching staff, but the first move must be to address the secondary. While letting Byron Jones walk might have made sense financially, it left a gaping hole at cornerback. So, let's give them a No. 1 cover corner. Farley is a shutdown corner who can start in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. He thrives in press coverage and will pair nicely with Trevon Diggs on the opposite side.. Put these two together and it will suddenly make rushing the passer a little easier for Dallas's front seven. Another positive for the Cowboys, they take an elite talent at a position of need away from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Matt Johnson, Sportnaut
As I scoured the internet for mock drafts published in the last week, Caleb Farley was by far the name that was the most popular to go to the Dallas Cowboys. While I get the intrigue with Farley, I'm slightly concerned about taking a player that opted out. Sure, the natural talent and ability are there, but he missed an opportunity to continue to refine his talent against NCAA competition.
It may not be an issue for players taken this high, but they may need a longer conditioning period to get ready for a full 16 game workload.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
“Micah Parsons may be the best defensive player in this draft. Regardless of the scheme, he is the type of transcendent talent that will make an impact wherever you play him. He is an explosive athlete with excellent leadership qualities and will provide tremendous value on all three downs.”
Drae Harris, The Draft Network
“The addition of Parsons to the Cowboys defense would greatly improve their versatility and effectiveness in nickel packages and any base alignment. His selection would arguably make Dallas' linebacking corps the fastest and most athletic group in the NFL. He's talented enough to defend in coverage on passing downs, and allow Dallas to position Aldon Smith and DeMarcus Lawrence on opposite ends to rush the passer. Realistically, oft injured Sean Lee is an unrestricted free agent, whereas Parsons' youth and affordable rookie contract offer a better option going forward.”
Glynn Morgan, NBC Sports
“Dallas' horrid defense needs playmakers at every level. Jaylon Smith may have a big contract, but Dallas can't afford to pass on an elite linebacker prospect like Micah Parsons in favor of an inferior cornerback. Offensive line was a consideration here, but we give them the best player on the board.”
John Shipley, SI Jaguars
Micah Parsons is a lightning rod in the Dallas Cowboys community. Given the situation with the Cowboys' linebackers, it makes a lot of sense to take arguably the best linebacker in college football. However, taking a linebacker in the top five of the draft is a huge risk. Linebackers can be found all throughout the draft. It's not a premium pick that is worth spending premium assets on.
Micah Parsons may undoubtedly be the best linebacker in this draft, but that doesn't mean the Cowboys should take him at number five overall.
Patrick Surtain, II, CB, Alabama
“The Cowboys have to add more talent to the secondary and Surtain is one of the safer cornerback prospects in the class.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
“The Cowboys could use help at every level of the defense, however, the secondary should be the priority. Surtain, the son of a three-time Pro Bowler, can step in and start day one for Dallas.”
Nicholas McGee, Fansided
Count me as someone who thinks it would be a lot of fun to pair the former Alabama teammates together by selecting Trevon Diggs former teammate Patrick Surtain, II. Alabama knows how to produce defensive backs. Though Diggs has yet to hit his stride in the NFL, he did show flashes of being a playmaker that will help the Cowboys secondary for the next several years. We've seen Minkah Fitzpatrick excel at the NFL level. Surtain's lineage and college experience would be huge assets to the Cowboys in 2021 and beyond.
Jaelen Phillips, EDGE, Miami
“The Cowboys have a lot of issues. This Miami sack-master can't solve all of them, but he has ‘wreaked havoc on offenses,' as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. noted.”
Joal Ryan, 247 Sports
The last time we did this exercise, it was Miami's Gregory Rousseau that was the edge rusher sent to the Cowboys.
EDGE is one of the few positions on the defense, that the Cowboys can feel fairly decent about with DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. If they can re-sign Aldon Smith, that gives the Cowboys a pretty good top three.
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
“With Dak Prescott missing the majority of this season with a broken ankle and entering free agency, Dallas opts to let him walk here and draft their next quarterback. I'm sure Eagles fans will come to loathe the abrasive Wilson in the coming years.”
Shamus Clancy, NBC Sports Philadelphia
I'm going to try and be nice here, but this feels like a Philadelphia writer projecting his own team's quarterback woes on the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys aren't going to allow Dak Prescott to walk. They've said on countless occasions that he is their present and their future. Dak Prescott has said on countless occasions that he wants to remain a member of the Dallas Cowboys for life. Any discussion about Prescott playing somewhere other than Dallas in 2021 or beyond is a fruitless discussion.
Zach Wilson is a great prospect with a lot of talent and may make someone in the top of the draft quite happy, but that team won't be the Dallas Cowboys.
