Mock drafts are beginning to take shape and fewer names are being slated to the Dallas Cowboys with just weeks away till the 2021 NFL Draft. This is the third time this draft cycle that we've scoured the web to bring you mock drafts from the industry leaders in draft analysis.
In this third installment, we have the fewest names sent to the Dallas Cowboys. One name in particular leads the way.
Several of these mocks are multiple rounds, so make sure you go see what the analysts did for the Dallas Cowboys.
Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys look to be in a great spot to get a great player. And with several elite prospects rumored to be falling in the eyes of the analysts, the hype train has taken off on several guys that were once thought to be out of reach.
That's why you may not be hearing much chatter on the guy who is a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys defense and fits a need as well; Patrick Surtain. In this mock draft round up, it's clear who the analysts believe will be the Dallas Cowboys' pick at 10th overall.
“The Cowboys could go Rashawn Slater here or possibly a front-seven defender, but cornerback is currently a weak spot on the roster and Surtain would be a natural fit in Dan Quinn's scheme. With a Pro Bowl father, he was groomed to play the position at a high level would be an immediate starter in Dallas playing alongside his former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs. Beat writer analysis: Jon Machota reacts to the pick.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“The Cowboys brought back slot corner Jourdan Lewis, but there's still a hole at one of the outside spots, with Chidobe Awuzie walking in free agency. This selection could reunite former Alabama teammates Surtain and fellow CB Trevon Diggs. Surtain is the most fundamentally sound defensive back in this class. Offensive line is another position to watch — particularly if Oregon's Penei Sewell is still on the board — though Dallas could save that for Day 2.”
Mel Kiper, ESPN
“The Cowboys seem to be in the market for a cornerback every year. They select Patrick Surtain II, who many consider the “cleanest and safest” cornerback in this draft. Surtain joins his former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs as the starting corners in Dallas.”
Drae Harris, The Draft Network
“Easy decision for the Cowboys to take the best cornerback on the board, especially after having an embarrassing secondary last year. Surtain is the boundary corner Dallas needs if defensive coordinator Dan Quinn decides to be primarily in Cover 3. The Cowboys will be extremely pleased with this pick.”
Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports
“Patrick Surtain II likely solidified his spot as the top cornerback to come off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft with his Pro Day. His 87.0 PFF grade in 2020 also led all college cornerbacks with at least 400 defensive snaps.”
Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus
“This has been one of my most common mock pairings, and why not? It just makes a lot of sense. Surtain had a great pro day, quieting some of the talk that he wasn't quite an elite athlete.
“Surtain might never be a top-five corner in the league, but we feel he eventually will fall just below that mark at his peak and provide Dallas far better coverage in a shoddy secondary. There's now a bit of a Bama-to-Dallas pipeline with Amari Cooper, Trevon Diggs and Saivion Smith.”
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports!
‘Team need and player value merge at the 10th overall pick, with the Cowboys getting the kind of physical outside corner they could have had in Jalen Ramsey a few years ago. Surtain is a technician who plays the ball as well as any corner I've seen over the past 20 years.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
“Projected press production on third downs drives this pick, which looks like one of the best fits for any selection in this first round. According to my model, Surtain is the corner with the highest ceiling.”
Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
There's a particular theme growing amongst draft analysts and Cowboys observers. That the Dallas Cowboys should be targeting cornerback at 10 no matter what. Jerry Jones has the folded piece of sticky note in his pocket, transcribed by Dan Quinn, and hand delivered by Mike McCarthy that reads “cornerback at 10, no matter what.” And if Patrick Surtain isn't available, then the Cowboys should go with Jaycee Horn out of 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.”
Brian Martin, InsideTheStar.com
“Jourdan Lewis is back in Dallas, but the Cowboys still want to upgrade the cornerback position opposite Trevon Diggs. Perhaps it's Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley, though his back procedure might cause concern. Instead, I'm tabbing Horn, a speedy and versatile press corner. The Cowboys gave up 34 passing touchdowns last season, so expect them to address that area here — unless they opt to help protect the $160 million man, QB Dak Prescott, with one of the class' top tackles.”
Todd McShay, ESPN
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
And now for the name that's caught all the buzz lately among Cowboys fans. The tight end and superhuman from the University if Florida, Kyle Pitts. There's been an ever-growing segment of Cowboys fans that are enamored with adding another elite offensive piece to an offense that is already looking at a top five offense. While cornerback is likely the expected pick for the Cowboys at 10, Pitts is the name that everyone is clamoring for.
“This would be the absolute best-case scenario for Dallas. They can take their CB1, EDGE1, Rashawn Slater, or Kyle Pitts. If they take the player highest on their board it should be Pitts. Arguably the best TE prospect of all time, it would be something for him to even fall this far. CB Patrick Surtain would fit perfectly in this scheme, not to mention you would line him up across from his former teammate Trevon Diggs, but Pitts is such an offensive mismatch and redzone weapon, it would be really hard to pass him up. Not to mention you're essentially gift wrapping him to a division rival with the Giants and Eagles picking directly behind you.”
Jason Ramirez, InsideTheStar.com
Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
And finally a name that I've been intrigued by for a couple of months now, but seems like an underwhelming pick in the eyes of many, Rashawn Slater, the offensive lineman out of Northwestern. A tackle for the Wildcats, Slater can play guard and has even been compared to Dallas Cowboys Left Guard Zack Martin. And while Slater may not directly help the defense, it certainly would not be disappointing to draft a player that projects as a future hall of famer.
“Yeah, it's going to hurt if Surtain ends up going to the Broncos. I'd even investigate trading up if you really want to make sure you get him. You need defense. But if Surtain is off the board, I'd like to fix the next-biggest need for the team, and that's offensive line. Slater would be a fruitful infusion into a line (and particularly, a position) that was once one of the best in the NFL. And now it's … not so much. The Cowboys are like Star Wars. Amazing in the 1970s, had a nice run in the '90s, but you've disappointed a lot of people recently. Still, there has been a comeback, thanks to things like The Mandalorian. Rebuilding your offensive line would be like that.”
Adam Rank, NFL.com
“Slater has the versatility to play any position on the O-line and will help strengthen a Cowboys front five that was decimated by injuries last season.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Well, there you have it. Round 3 of the round-up is done and it's been narrowed to four names that could be heading to the Dallas Cowboys.
Any of these scenarios would be fantastic and would find a player that can help almost immediately. At the 10th pick, the Cowboys look a lock to come out of the draft with one of the elite players.
