Today we’re officially one month away from the kickoff of the 2021 NFL Draft and things are already starting to heat up. Just this past Friday we saw the San Francisco 49ers make a move to land the third overall pick and the Philadelphia Eagles trade out of the Top 10. Who knows what else will happen between now and April 29, but one things for sure the big event can’t get here soon enough.
With the shakeup within the Top 10 and the Dallas Cowboys recent offseason additions I thought it would be a good time to do another seven-round mock draft for the Cowboys. Dallas has done a pretty good job of filling holes to the roster, so they can pretty much stick to their board and draft accordingly. That also frees them up to be a little more aggressive if they so choose.
For this exercise I used Draft Network’s mock draft simulator except for the hypothetical Michael Gallup Draft Day trade. Let’s take a look at how things played out…
Round 1, Pick 15 – CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
*TRADE* Patriots send 1.15, 2.46 for Cowboys 1.10
New England picked up the phone and wanted to move up five spots to select WR Jaylen Waddle and I gladly accepted their offer. Not only do the Dallas Cowboys pick up an extra second-round pick in this trade, but it also keeps a talented WR out of the hands of either the Giants or Eagles. And surprisingly enough, the player I was targeting at 10 was still there at 15.
Jaycee Horn is an absolute dog in the passing game and doesn’t give an inch to anybody. His attitude, physicality, and versatility sets him apart from any other CB in the 2021 draft class and his size/speed/length combo make him a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s system. He is a plug-and-play player as a rookie from Day 1 and immediately upgrades Dallas’ secondary.
Go cover Kyle Pitts in Y-ISO..
Go cover Elijah Moore in Slot..
Go cover Devonta Smith w/no help..…There are lots of cornerbacks in CFB, make sure you note what they're being asked to do! They aren't all given the same responsibility! @jayceehorn_10 pic.twitter.com/I0xHfEQAC4
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 22, 2021
Round 2, Pick 44 – EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
Ronnie Perkins would be a great fit for Dan Quinn’s 4-3 defensive scheme. He’s not going to wow anybody with his athleticism, but this guy is the definition of a football player. He has good get off with excellent length and power. He’s also a stout run defender and relentless as a pass rusher. He’ll likely be a rotational player as a rookie, but could earn a starting job as early as Year 2.
#Oklahoma DE Ronnie Perkins' film against Oklahoma State is shared a ton, but I think his #Florida performance is just as impressive.
-Violent squeeze, blows up puller on QB power
-Delayed stunt, gets QB hit and forces quick throw
-Quick get off for TFLTop 5 EDGE for me. pic.twitter.com/jZ6mcNOQIB
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 22, 2021
Round 2, Pick 46 – LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
The Dallas Cowboys have surprisingly done next to nothing to upgrade or help the LB position this offseason except sign a hybrid S/LB in Keanu Neal. With concerns with both Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch I decided to take matters in my own hands and draft Jamin Davis to rectify the problem. He’s an athletic LB with great range and length and has the versatility to play all three positions. He is an ascending player with Darius Leonard-like talent.
3 games of Jamin Davis done. Watched Ole Miss, UGA (BC), and UF.
Positives:
+Great Athlete
+Long
+Patient, good eyes reading pullers
+Sorts through traffic well
+Good Tackler
+Lateral Quickness
+Good->Great Effort
+Room to add weight pic.twitter.com/fh41CSe1FC— Zach Gartin (@All22_Addict) March 3, 2021
Round 3, Pick 65 – S Richie Grant, UCF
*TRADE* Cowboys Trade WR Michael Gallup to Jacksonville for 3.65
(No player trades on Draft Network. Completely hypothetical)
Okay, let me hear it… I know many of you will hate the idea of trading away Michael Gallup, but in doing so I was able to land an impactful defensive player to upgrade Dallas’ secondary in FS Richie Grant. And honestly, I think this is a win-win trade for both teams.
Jacksonville has a ton of draft capital and salary cap space this year to trade/sign a young, talented WR like Michael Gallup. He’d immediately be the best WR on their roster and gives their new rookie QB Trevor Lawrence a proven big, physical target in the passing game.
For the Cowboys they are able to trade a player who’s more than likely not in their future plans and receive better compensation then letting him walk next season for a compensatory pick. Making this trade now also nets them an upgrade and long-term solution at the free safety position. Like I said before… It’s a win-win for both organizations.
Lol this was the fourth play of the game. Richie Grant is SPECIAL! https://t.co/AkUS1lFd3m pic.twitter.com/e7oRngjgQs
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) March 24, 2021
Round 3, Pick 75 – WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina
I know many of you are probably still upset I traded away Michael Gallup, but hopefully you’re less so by my decision to replace him with WR Dyami Brown. He is the kind of true vertical threat Dallas’ offense hasn’t had in quite some time. Gallup was deceptive at threatening a defense deep, but Brown is the real deal. He would not only add an entire new dimension to the Cowboys passing game, but has the potential to take it to an entirely different level as well.
UNC Dyami Brown is incredibly strong through the route stem and at the catch point for 6’1 190lbs – and can track/adjust with the best of ‘em!
Last 2 years – 18.0 yards depth of target. Downfield machine!
Some concerns: Needs work vs press. Lined up as L-WR like 95% in ‘19-‘20 pic.twitter.com/M8VQd3kDgO
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 25, 2021
Round 3, Pick 99 – DT Alim McNeill, NC State
If the Dallas Cowboys only add one DT in the NFL Draft I’m really hoping it’s Alim McNeill. There’s not many guys his size (6’2″, 315) who can move the way he does. He’s an excellent run defender who constantly sets and resets the line of scrimmage and offers a little bit as a pass rusher as well. His addition would go a long ways in upgrading Dallas’ embarrassing run defense from a season ago.
NC State DT Alim McNeill isn’t being talked about enough. Dude is an absolute wrecking ball in the interior of the defense.
• 6’2” 315lbs
• very good athlete for big man
• pocket pusher as a pass rusher
• excellent anchor against doubles
• uses length very well
• dog pic.twitter.com/1mRdgJ7pS1— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 16, 2021
Round 4, Pick 115 – OT D’Ante Smith, East Carolina
Signing Ty Nsekhe upgrades Dallas’ swing tackle position in 2021, but doesn’t do anything for them long-term. It’s probably time to invest in a potential replacement for Tyron Smith and D’Ante Smith has the talent and skill set to be that guy. He’s an ascending player with long arms (35 1/4″) and starting potential in a year or two who opened a lot of eyes with his play at the Senior Bowl.
https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/1367119269838921731
Round 4, Pick 122 – OL Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame
*TRADE* Cowboys send 4.138, 5.179 to Patriots for 4.122
Back to back offensive lineman!? You bet! Robert Hainsey is a do it all OL who proved he is capable of playing almost anywhere on the offensive line at the Senior Bowl. He’s probably best if kicked inside to guard or center due to his 32 inch arms, but proved he’s capable playing on the outside at right tackle during his days at Notre Dame as well. He not only provides much-needed depth for the Cowboys, but his versatility could prove to be invaluable.
Notre Dame OL Robert Hainsey taking snaps at center is quite intriguing!
Hainsey has been among the top standouts this week. A massive technician with great hand placement and an extremely strong anchor. Neutralizer. pic.twitter.com/f7jJPiMUPn
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) January 28, 2021
Round 6, Pick 192 – LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State
Justin Hilliard is a depth LB prospect the Cowboys should target in the later portions of the NFL Draft. He will carve out a role as a special teams contributor early in his career and could compete for the starting SAM LB position as well. His effort and physicality will be something the coaching staff will fall in love with and his potential growth is definitely something worth developing.
OLB Justin Hilliard been playing good football for @OhioStateFB over last month
6'1 231lbs outstanding mix of length/athleticism. Only played 263 snaps on defense coming into '20 w/ injuries early on – granted 6th year eligibility
Staggering 726 special teams snaps in career pic.twitter.com/3dFc7oYGex
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 3, 2021
Round 7, Pick 227 – WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
There aren’t many sub 5’8″ WRs who have succeeded in the NFL after being drafted, which is the only reason why I think Jaelon Darden (5’7″) is still available at this point in the draft. I believe he’s one of the most exciting receivers in this year’s draft class and also one of the most underrated. He could be a more dynamic version of Cole Beasley with the Cowboys out of the slot and contribute on special teams as a return man as well.
North Texas WR Jaelon Darden, does not play like his 5’9, 173 pound frame suggest. He’s an explosive vertical threat, with next level speed and great route running capabilities. He can fill an immediate void as a featured slot receiver or return man.
— Jake Hefner (@JakeTHefner) February 13, 2021
Round 7, Pick 238 – DB Tre Norwood, Oklahoma
Tre Norwood is an intriguing and versatile defensive back prospect who could provide some much-needed depth to Dallas’ secondary as a chess piece type of weapon. During his time at Oklahoma he proved he can play any position on the backend of the defense. He played out of the slot and outside CB as well as a free safety and strong safety. That kind of versatility could prove to be invaluable.
Excited to see this play on film – #Sooners DB Tre Norwood is a former CB who shifted to FS in '20 for @OU_Football
Has sideline to sideline range, is quick in and out of cuts and had 5 INTs this year! One of a handful of versatile DBs in Mobile #TheDraftStartsinMOBILE #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/PTqpH4k85Q
— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) January 27, 2021
I wouldn’t hate it … might question taking a 2nd receiver before taking a stab at a developmental QB?
They drafted a developmental QB last year in Ben DiNucci. I think they can bring in an undrafted free agent QB to compete/develop without using any more draft capital on the position.
How the hell did you get Grant in 3rd round Brian ? Every mock I’ve done has had Grant go in the early to mid part of 2nd round , if you can get Grant in early part of 3rd in Gallup trade , I love it .
Overall a good Mock , I’d actually IMO double down on CB or DT instead of going with OL with both 4th round picks , I’d go like a Tyler Shelvin at DT or a Melifonwu at CB , but I get and wouldn’t going O-Line with both 4th picks , just think i’d prefer going DT or CB , other than that , I agree and like your Mock Brian
That’s just the way things fell in Draft Network’s mock draft simulator. I probably could’ve waited till 75 and still landed Grant.
I did double down at CB with Tre Norwood at 238. His versatility to play just about anywhere in the secondary is intriguing. At DT I just didn’t like the value. I thought adding more depth to the OL, especially on the interior was a little more important.
I like alot of ur picks. Maybe we can do better then LB Davis in the 2nd round? I’m not familiar with him. J Cox or N Bolton might be available there if we wanna go LB that early. I would go OL before WR in the 3rd unless a great value pick falls to us. I like McNeil in the 3rd as well or maybe T Shelvin.
I’m not sure R Grant will last till #65 might need to try to snag him a little earlier. I like doubling up on CB and OL and LB three thin positions. Yea why not take a flyer on WR Darden. The draft is so unpredictable and rarely goes according to script, but if we got all these guys I wouldn’t be unhappy.
Gary, you might want to read up on Jamin Davis. I think he’s going to end up being my LB3 in this year’s draft class. And I went WR ahead of OL in this particular draft because I believe Dyami Brown is a Top 10 receiver in this year’s draft class. I think he has a chance of being even better than Michael Gallup, who he would be replacing.
Richie Grant’s rankings are all over the place. I was just going according to Draft Network’s mock draft simulator and he was continuing to fall. I probably could’ve even waited and landed him at 75.
Some of the picks i was ok with as far as the trade and drafting a DE and LB in the second not a fan and the michael gallup trade hated it everyone keeps saying Gallup is fine but no one knows that for sure i see alot of people wanting richie grant but he is almost 25 in a few years he will be the veteran as far as age i know it’s a long shot but i would rather have trevon Moehrig
I’m not as high on Richie Grant as others. I think he’s going in that being my third-ranked safety and will probably slide just inside my Top 50. But, if the Cowboys can get him it 65 where I use Michael Gallup to trade up I think that’s good value.
That’s great value at 65 or lower , the difference in all the Mock draft sim rankings pretty much illustrate the unpredictability of the draft , Grant could fall to us at 65 or 75 , or he could go at the top of the 2nd round , your guess is as good as mine ,
Also who you have ahead of Grant in Safety Rankings Brian ?
I have Trevon Moehrig and Jevon Holland ahead of Richie Grant, although I’m back and forth with the last two.
Brian, that would be an awesome draft should it fall that way. No way that I’m not using a #2 on McNeil (enormous potential at a dire position of need for the position and greatly aids in evaluation of LVE and Smith in essentially contract years, who have their flaws but have not played behind DTs that can keep OL from reaching them much quicker than average, and to see if Gallimore or Hill are good 3-Ts when focused solely on that position, neither are NTs). If I’m GM, McNeil is my #2 pick no matter how I secure him to move up or down as the board falls. I believe McNeil will be a massive upgrade this year and could be a pro bowler soon. I want to know if in 2022 we need to draft 3-Ts or LBs high as last year was horrible in those positions. Gallimore and Smith, at least, awoke some promise they might develop. The LBs never came close to 2018 form. Since Smith was guaranteed for this season the staff must see something in him. It is for that reason I am hoping they also see the need for an impactful NT. Their best FA signing within a reasonably degree of certainty is the NT who is a good run-stopper without much pass rush. It may be the Cowboys are thinking along the same lines. I would rather get beaten through the air than watch another Cleveland or Rams game on the ground as that is more indefensible as it merely required a handoff without a turnover to be very effective against us. I’d rather hand it off to destroy an opponent than place it in the air. Wilson and Diggs emerged very well last season. DL is the biggest concern.
Thanks Kevin! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. Positive feedback is always good to receive.
Overall a good mock, Brian. Horn rising well, Brown great YPC, Smith good flex, Grant solid, need that run stuffer+ in McNeill, Darden would be an exciting addition, Hilliard had to sit behind 2 or 3. Not real familiar with Davis, but Leonard-like sounds good.
Did a Draft Network Mock with no trades.
CB, P Surtain II, AL
OT, J Mayfield, MI
S, A Cisco, Syr
LB, D Moses, AL
DT, J Twyman, Pitt
EDGE, R Weaver, Pitt
CB, D Lenoir, OR
DT, K Tonga, BYU
WR, C Powell, Clemson
EDGE/LB, C Rumph II, Duke
It’s a nice class. If Dallas could pull off getting that much in a trade down and still land Horn (and it’s possible), that would be a coup.
Biggest issue with the Gallup trade (and in general) is the fairly weak return. With the contracts handed out to non-elite WRs this past FA, Gallup is in line to offer a shot at a 3rd round comp pick, not to mention that the price of WRs should make him in demand enough to bring in a solid second rounder. If I’m Dallas, better to enjoy his final cheap season and then get the comp pick then to get a pick now that isn’t much better than the one it would receive two years down the line. But, if we pretend that the Grant slot here was deflated and in “reality” Dallas traded Gallup for a second rounder to land Grant (or ideally Holland), it works out about the same 🙂
This truly does seem like the perfect class to grab a developmental LT in the third or fourth rounds, and Dallas has the picks to make that happen without taking away from focusing on the defense. Hope that’s how it goes!
They dont need to trade MG they need to draft surtain at 10 n pay MG next year theres no need to take away from their offense.They need to up grade there defense.
Instead of Wr at pick I would have went Jevon Holland Safety, Oregon. A true ball Hawk with a nose for the ball, coverage skills, and the ability to hit like a freight train
You trade Gallup, you lose your long ball threat! With other recievers you can stretch out the Defense to its limits than run Ezekiel Elliott and Pollard thru the Middle!!
Stop talking about trading Gallup, we need Gallup, take him away and we have Amari who still hasn’t proved to me as a Cowboys fan that he can be relied on don’t get me wrong he has been great for Dallas, but had a few games where he was skunked or contained, if anything get rid of Amari with the out in his contract next year and get out from under one of our 100 million dollar contracts, Gallup would be way less to resign. I’d rather have CeeDee Lamb and Gallup with freed cap space, then amari and CeeDee with TE still being mediocre at best. Surtain is the best pick for the Cowboys unless Sewell falls or pitts, round 2 should be a tackle, I bet Milton Williams Louisiana tech, jamin Davis Kentucky or one of Ohio states lb’s Werner, Hilliard, or Browning and jonathon Cooper get added in the mid rounds, would be happy to get Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse with our 70’s pick or Kelvin Joseph CB Kentucky and with the final pick the steal of the draft Tarron Jackson DT. I also expect an interior o-lineman to be drafted and unfortunately Mike McCarthy believes the hype that he is the quarterback whisperer, Ben Dinucci? Please don’t waste draft capital on a QB unless Sam Ehlinger or Shane Buechele are there with our last pick and if they are still there you could probably pick them up as an udfa if McCarthy must have a Qb pet project to groom.