After the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles the Dallas Cowboys 2-6 record is currently the fifth worst in the entire league. As such, if the 2020 season were to end today they would be slotted to pick within the Top 5 in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- New York Jets (0-8)
- New York Giants (1-6)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
- Houston Texans (1-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (2-6)
The last time the Dallas Cowboys secured a Top 5 draft pick was back in 2016 when they selected Running Back Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall out of Ohio State. Fast-forward four years later and none of us would’ve probably predicted the Cowboys drafting so highly or so soon once again.
It’s really way too early to know which position or player the Dallas Cowboys could be targeting if indeed they do secure a Top 5 draft pick in 2021. I think we can safely speculate the pick being used to upgrade the defensive side of the ball, however, we can’t rule out it being used on an offensive player completely.
Defensively the Dallas Cowboys need a ton of help. Nearly their entire secondary become free agents at the end of the 2020 season and they need some help along the defensive line as well. I wouldn’t rule out another linebacker either considering the way Jaylon Smith has played this season and Leighton Vander Esch’s inability to remain healthy.
Although the Cowboys defense should be top priority in the offseason, we can’t completely rule out investing a top pick on the offensive side of the ball. With a Top 5 pick Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance could be within reach if they choose not to bring back Dak Prescott. I wouldn’t rule out taking in OT that high either due to Tyron Smith’s ongoing health concerns.
Again it’s still way too early to know where the Dallas Cowboys will be slotted in the 2021 NFL Draft, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on the second half of the 2020 season. It could be one of the more interesting things to follow as the season progresses.