The 2021 NFL Draft is almost here and drawing closer by the day. After off-season moves to help bolster the roster a Dallas Cowboys are pretty much free to take the best player available with each of their 10 draft picks, four of which are in the Top 100.
Today, I thought we'd explore who the Dallas Cowboys could target in the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft where they are currently slotted to pick at 10, 44, 75, and 99. With that in mind I put together a complete three-round mock draft for each team with no trades included.
For this three-round mock draft I tried to be as of the objective as possible. I based each pick on team needs and how I would draft for that particular team, not how I think they would. This could be a realistic representation of who could be available for the Dallas Cowboys or not, but it's a fun exercise nonetheless.
Let's take a look, shall we!?
Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Minshew mania was fun while it lasted, but now it's Trevor Lawrence's time to shine.
2. New York Jets – QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Out with the Darnold, in with the new. Zach Wilson takes over the big stage in New York.
3. San Francisco 49ers – QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Smokescreens aside, Justin Fields should be Kyle Shanahan's favored QB of the future.
4. Atlanta Falcons – QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Barring a trade Atlanta likely sits tight and drafts Matt Ryan's eventual replacement.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Joe Burrow advocates hard and wins to reunite with his favorite target from LSU.
6. Miami Dolphins – TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Whether it's as a WR or TE Kyle Pitts gives Miami a new weapon for Tua Tagovailoa.
7. Detroit Lions – WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Detroit replaces Kenny Golladay with Jaylen Waddle, a Tyreek Hill type of weapon.
8. Carolina Panthers – OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Mac Jones could be in play here, but Carolina instead upgrades their blindside protection.
9. Denver Broncos – LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Micah Parsons is a freak athlete who would fit in nicely in Vic Fangio's defense.
10. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
If things truly play out this way the Dallas Cowboys are in great shape. Not only do they have their choice of the top CB prospects in the entire draft class, but they also have players still the board teams may be willing to move up for. But since this is a no trade mock draft they sit tight and stick to their board by drafting Jaycee Horn, who I believe is their CB1 this year.
Patrick Surtain II is the safer pick, but doesn't offer the same kind of upside or intangibles Jaycee Horn does. The former South Carolina CB has the versatility to play on the outside or in the the slot, is more physical, a better blitzer, and also has better short area quickness. Both players would be great fits with the Cowboys, but Horn brings more to the table in my opinion.
11. New York Giants – WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Kenny Golladay, DeVonta Smith… New York Giants are going all in with QB Daniel Jones.
12. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Eagles choose Patrick Surtain II to upgrade their defense over offense to help Jalen Hurts.
13. Los Angeles Chargers – OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
LA needs to do a better job of protecting Justin Herbert and Rashawn Slater does just that.
14. Minnesota Vikings – OT/G Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Whether it's at OT or OG Alijah Vera-Tucker is an upgrade for Minnesota's offensive line.
15. New England Patriots – QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Even with no trades New England is able to sit tight and draft their QB of the future.
16. Arizona Cardinals – CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
Greg Newsome steps in to Patrick Peterson's vacated spot to solidify Arizona's secondary.
17. Las Vegas Raiders – S/LB Jeremiah Owusa-Koramoah
Raiders need help at both safety and linebacker and JOK could be the solution to either one.
18. Miami Dolphins – EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Dolphins stay local and drafts the hometown kid Jaelan Phillips to upgrade their pass rush.
19. Washington Football Team – WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Washington drafts a counterpart for Terry McLaurin to help upgrade their passing game.
20. Chicago Bears – CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Injury history is concern, but Caleb Farley would immediately step into Kyle Fuller's vacated spot.
21. Indianapolis Colts – OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
In order to help keep Carson Wentz healthy Indianapolis drafts Christian Darrisaw to protect him.
22. Tennessee Titans – EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Tennessee upgrades or pass rush with arguably the most explosive EDGE rusher in the draft class.
23. New York Jets – CB Eric Stokes, Georgia
Eric Stokes' impressive size/speed combo could make him a CB1 for Robert Saleh's defense.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Pittsburgh has bigger needs, but Kwity Paye is too good of a fit for them to pass up.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
To help protect the No. 1 pick Jacksonville upgrades their blindside protection with the OT from Texas.
26. Cleveland Browns – LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Versatility to play LB or DE could make Zaven Collins a unique weapon with the Browns.
27. Baltimore Ravens – DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Christian Barmore would be a great fit along Don Martindale's mixed defensive fronts.
28. New Orleans Saints – WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Rashod Bateman upgrades the Saints passing game for whoever starts at QB for them in 2021.
29. Green Bay Packers – WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
Elijah Moore gives Aaron Rodgers a dynamic slot receiver like he hasn't had since Randall Cobb.
30. Buffalo Bills – RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Najee Harris solves the problem of Buffalo's lack of running game that hurt them last season.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Liam Eichenburg, Notre Dame
Liam Eichenburg gives the Chiefs a plug-and-play OT after releasing both of theirs in the offseason.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Tampa Bay adds a rare athletically gifted EDGE rusher with tremendous upside to help upgrade their defense.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – S Richie Grant, UCF
34. New York Jets – CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia
35. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
36. Miami Dolphins – RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina
37. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Terrace Marshall, LSU
38. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Tevon Jenkins, Oklahoma State
39. Carolina Panthers – WR Rondale Moore, Purdue
40. Denver Broncos – OT Jaylen Mayfield, Michigan
41. Detroit Lions – CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
42. New York Giants – LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
43. San Francisco 49ers – C Landon Dickerson, Alabama
44. Dallas Cowboys – S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Don't be surprised if safeties don't start coming off the board until the second-round or if Richie Grant gets drafted before Trevon Moehrig. The 2021 free agent safety market was plush with options and a lot of teams have already addressed the position. Fortunately, that could play right into the hands of the Dallas Cowboys.
Dane Brugler is one of many draft analysts who believe Richie Grant will be the first safety off the board. He is the more proven and productive, which puts Trevon Moehrig in play for the Cowboys. If true, this is a prospect they should know almost everything about already. He is a local product and one who would fit in perfectly as the single-high centerfield free safety in Dan Quinn' scheme.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars – TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
46. New England Patriots – S Javon Holland, Oregon
47. Los Angeles Chargers – EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington
48. Las Vegas Raiders – DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
49. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas
50. Miami Dolphins – WR D'Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
51. Washington Football Team – LB Baron Browning, Ohio State
52. Chicago Bears – OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
53. Tennessee Titans – TE Brevin Jordan, Miami
54. Indianapolis Colts – CB Elijah Molden, Washington
55. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT/G Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
56. Seattle Seahawks – DT Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech
57. Los Angeles Rams – C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
58. Baltimore Ravens – EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
59. Cleveland Browns – DT Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
60. New Orleans Saints – CB Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky
61. Buffalo Bills – CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
62. Green Bay Packers – LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
63. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Nico Collins, Michigan
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Jay Tufele, USC
Round 3
65. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Armani Rogers, Clemson
66. New York Jets – EDGE Janarius Robinnson, Florida State
67. Houston Texans – WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
68. Atlanta Falcons – CB/S Trill Williams, Syracuse
69. Cincinnati Bengals – C Josh Myers, Ohio State
70. Philadelphia Eagles – LB Chazz Suratt, North Carolina
71. Denver Broncos – WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina
72. Detroit Lions – WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
73. Carolina Panthers – CB Aaron Robinson, UCF
74. Washington Football Team – OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
75. Dallas Cowboys – DT Alim McNeill, NC State
The Dallas Cowboys brought in free-agent DT Brent Urban and tendered Antwaun Woods already this offseason to give them options on the interior of their defensive line, but shouldn't stop there. Alim McNeill is one of the best nose tackles in the 2021 draft class and a great fit as a 1-tech in Dallas' 4-3 scheme. He is a strong player who uses his strength/length to set and reset the line of scrimmage and offers a little bit of juice as a pass rusher as well.
76. New York Giants – EDGE Carlos Basham, Wake Forest
77. Los Angeles Chargers – CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford
78. Minnesota Vikings – S Jamar Johnson, Indiana
79. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Jackson Carman, Clemson
80. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Payton Turner, Houston
81. Miami Dolphins – LB Pete Werner, Ohio State
82. Washington Football Team – CB/S Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
83. Chicago Bears – QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
84. Philadelphia Eagles – S Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
85. Tennessee Titans – S Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri
86. New York Jets – TE Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
87. Pittsburgh Steelers – RB Michael Carter, North Carolina
88. Los Angeles Rams – LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
89. Cleveland Browns – OG/C Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
90. Minnesota Vikings – EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami
91. Cleveland Browns – CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State
92. Green Bay Packers – DT Tommy Togiai, Ohio State
93. Buffalo Bills – EDGE Jordan Smith, UAB
94. Kansas City Chiefs – LB Cameron McGrone, Michigan
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – RB Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
Round 3 Compensatory Picks
96. New England Patriots – DT Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
97. Los Angeles Chargers – OG Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
98. New Orleans Saints – DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU
99. Dallas Cowboys – LB Jabril Cox, LSU
Jibril Cox is a scheme specific prospect who fits in perfectly as a WILL LB in Dan Quinn's 4-3 scheme. For him to still be available in the latter part of the third round would be an absolute dream come true for the Dallas Cowboys. His sideline to sideline range and ability in coverage could make him an immediate starter, however, he could stand to play with a little bit more physicality. His addition would allow Keanu Neal to remain at his more natural strong safety position.
