The Dallas Cowboys have gone defensive-heavy through the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. They’ve hit every level of the defense and cornerback twice. With six more picks on day three, the Cowboys have an opportunity to keep adding depth to the defense as well as show Kellen Moore’s offense some love.
Here’s what the Cowboys have done with their all-defensive draft thus far.
12. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
One of the most talented defensive players in the draft. Questions remain as to Micah Parson’s fit with the current linebacking corp, but his speed and upside as a pass rusher will help the Dallas Cowboys create splash plays.
44. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Kelvin Joseph has the opportunity to be your day one starter across from Trevon Diggs. Talent has never been the issue for Joseph and he has the range and playmaking ability that can help the Cowboys in the turnover department.
75. Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
Osa Odighizuwa figures to work into the Cowboys rotation at 3-technique defensive tackle. As a former undefeated heavyweight wrestler in high school, Odighizuwa uses his superior understanding of leverage to manipulate his opponent to win in the run and pass game.
84. From the Eagles: Chauncey Gholston, EDGE, Iowa
Chauncey Gholston projects as a player similar to Tyrone Crawford. A long and strong run-down defensive end who can be moved to play defensive tackle in passing situations.
99. Nahshon Wright, CB, Oregon State
While a lot of people may have had Nahshon Wright projected to go a bit later, Jonah Tuls, formerly of The Draft Network was bullish on him with a round four grade.
Let’s attempt to mock out the rest of the draft for the Dallas Cowboys
115. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Safety, Florida State
Hamsah Nasirildeen is coming off of an injury-riddled season in 2020 but is a player that many were projecting as a top-50 player in the draft. His versatility as a box safety to help out on tight ends and bigger slot wide receivers would be a welcomed addition. Though the Cowboys have Donovan Wilson and Keanu Neal who can help in the box safety role, Nasirildeen could provide competition and depth in year one.
IA three-year starter at Florida State, Nasirildeen played free safety in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s scheme, lining up in the deep half, versus the slot and at linebacker. Although his senior year was basically a lost season due to his ACL rehab, he led the Seminoles in tackles as a sophomore and junior and announced himself as a possible top-100 draft pick. Described as a “war daddy” by the FSU coaches, Nasirildeen runs the alleys with physicality and plays with the length and toughness to shed blocks in the box. In coverage, he has fluidity and ball skills, but his route anticipation and eye discipline are not currently strengths of his game. Overall, Nasirildeen comes with position-fit questions in base and requires a defined role, but he is a super-long, downhill force player with moldable physical traits. He projects as a hybrid box safety and core special-teamer.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
138. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Rumors are that the Dallas Cowboys really like Marvin Wilson. At the same time, the Cowboys have been dropping misinformation for weeks, so who knows what they really like. Marvin Wilson was a highly touted high school player that never really lived up to the expectations at Florida State. He’s still super talented with a lot of upside that could help you as a 1-technique defensive tackle.
“A consensus five-star prospect and the country’s top defensive tackle recruit, Marvin Wilson fielded 27 offers from top programs around the nations and had official visits with Florida State, LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma, per 247Sports. The Bellaire, Texas, native entered the 2017 recruiting class as a 6-foot-4, 329-pound behemoth. At Texas’ Episcopal High School, Wilson recorded 71 tackles for loss and 42 sacks.”
Pro Football Focus Draft Guide
“A three-year starter at Florida State, Wilson lined up at both the three- and one-technique positions in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s scheme. He was part of Jimbo Fisher’s highly regarded 2017 recruiting class (that included other five-stars like Cam Akers), but his development appeared to suffer due to the turmoil within the program, including three different coaching staffs the last four years. Wilson has NFL tools and flashes the upfield burst and play strength to force his way through gaps. However, he played too heavy on his 2020 tape and his motor tends to spurt instead of rev, simply going through the motions. Overall, Wilson has size and talent, but he struggles to play with balance.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
179. Derrick Barnes, Linebacker, Purdue
Even after drafting Micah Parsons in the first round, the Dallas Cowboys still need some depth with the retirement of Sean Lee. Barnes could be a strong side linebacker in base 4-3 packages and provide some depth on the inside as well. He would slot in as a special teams player early in his career with the potential to develop into a starting MIKE or WILL.
“A three-year starter at Purdue, Barnes was an inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s hybrid 3-4 scheme. After playing primarily an outside linebacker or edge “Leo” rusher as an underclassman, he moved to an off-ball role as a senior and averaged 9.0 tackles per game. While short, Barnes is stout, long and fast with the vision, reaction skills and motor that leads to production. He needs to be better playing overtop climbing blockers and will require time improving his comfort in coverage. Overall, Barnes needs to be more efficient in his stack-and-shed, but he has the body type, range and competitive profile to be a special teams standout while pushing for defensive reps as an inside linebacker or designated pass rusher.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“Tagged as just a two-star recruit coming out of Kentucky’s Holy Cross High School, Derrick Barnes initially committed to Toledo early in the recruiting process but later flipped his commitment to Purdue. At Holy Cross, Barnes competed for the football, basketball and track and field teams. He recorded 126 total tackles, three interceptions, 1,567 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior.”
Pro Football Focus Draft Guide
192. Tamorrion Terry, Wide Receiver, Florida State
Tamorrion Terry ran a 4.44 and has the ability to win down the field. He was incredibly productive in 2019 catching 60 passes on 103 targets for 1,187 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 19.8 yards per reception in the ACC. 2020 was a struggle, however, as Terry battled injuries on his way to opting out of the final two games of the season.
Here’s what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has to say:
“A three-year starter at Florida State, Terry lined up inside and outside in head coach Mike Norvell’s offense. He led the team in receiving yards as a freshman and sophomore and became just the 10th player in school history to reach 2,200 receiving yards. Terry is an electric size/speed athlete with the juice to create big plays in an instant (nine of his 18 career touchdown grabs were 50-plus yard plays). However, his ball skills and success rate through contact leave a lot to be desired, playing much smaller than his size. Overall, Terry is immensely talented, but whether he sticks in the NFL will depend on his reliability once he gets into a camp. He shows the upside to be a more dynamic version of Marquez Valdes-Scantling.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“Tamorrion Terry received offers from Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss coming out of Georgia’s Turner County High School as a four-star recruit in 2017. He finished his senior season with 40 receptions for 1,187 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Class A Public All-State First Team in 2015 and 2016.”
Pro Football Focus Draft Guide
227. Pooka Williams, Running Back, Kansas
As an OU fan, I have nightmares of Pooka Williams. In 2018, he carried the ball 15 times for 252 yards and two touchdowns. In 2019, he ran for 137 yards on 23 carries. It’s all the more impressive when you consider that Kansas has very little in the way of offensive line play or other weapons to go to. Williams is a breakaway runner that can hurt you in a heartbeat.
“Pooka Williams was heavily recruited as a four-star recruit out of Louisiana’s Hahnville High School in 2018. He picked Kansas over offers from LSU and Mississippi State, among others. He recorded 3,118 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior at Hahnville, including nearly 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in the team’s five-game playoff run.”
Pro Football Focus Draft Guide
“A three-year starter at Kansas, Williams was a do-everything weapon in former offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon’s scheme. Although his production declined each of his three seasons in Lawrence, he led the Big 12 in all-purpose yards as a freshman and became the first Kansas player since Gale Sayers to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards combined in his first two seasons. Williams has the start/stop quickness to elude defenders in tight quarters while resetting his eyes to anticipate openings and hit the accelerator. He runs like a track athlete, but he also looks like one with his lean, narrow build, minimal run strength and questionable upside as a blocker. Overall, Williams is complicated due to his off-field issues and position fit questions related to his size, but he has special speed with balance and fantastic feet to slip contact. He projects as a change-of-pace rusher, receiver and returner.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
238. KJ Britt, Linebacker, Auburn
KJ Britt would provide solid reps as a special teams player while helping provide depth at middle linebacker.
“A two-year starter at Auburn, Britt lined up at inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After a solid junior season, he reached double-digit tackles in each of the first two games as a senior before a thumb injury sidelined him. Known as a defensive alpha at Auburn, Britt is a physical thumper in the run game with the violent mentality that translates to any level of the game. While he has adequate range as a run defender, his body stiffness hurts his cover skills and ability to finish as a tackler in space. Overall, Britt’s athletic limitations will be tough to overcome in the NFL, especially in coverage, but he is a run-down banger with pro-level toughness that could help him stick as a reserve inside linebacker.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
