On Tuesday, The Athletic's Dane Brugler released his NFL Mock Draft 2.0 and made some questionable selections for the Dallas Cowboys with their first two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. It's not so much the players he selected, but the ones he decided to pass over.
Since you may or may not have a subscription to The Athletic, I thought I would share with you Brugler's selections for the Dallas Cowboys and let you decide for yourself if you like his picks or not. Let's take a look, shall we!?
Round 1, Pick 10 – OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
“Many fans will disapprove of any pick that isn't a defensive player, but the Cowboys' offensive line woes were a consistent theme all season. Not only does Slater have NFL-ready talent, he offers the versatility to play tackle or guard, giving the Cowboys much-needed flexibility.” – Dane Brugler
I personally don't have a problem with Dane's rationale of drafting Rashawn Slater with the 10th overall pick for the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas' offensive line was a mess last year and it can be laid directly at the feet of Tyron Smith and La'el Collins missing the majority of the season. Smith particularly is a bigger concern considering his inability to stay healthy. The Cowboys need to find his replacement sooner rather than later and Slater could definitely be that player.
The only problem I have with this pick is the fact Dane passed up on CB Patrick Surtain, EDGE Gregory Rousseau, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and CB Jaycee Horn. I have no doubts any one of these players would immediately upgrade the Cowboys defense. Would Slater do the same? Would he replace Tyron Smith or La'el Collins? These are the kind of questions Dallas would have to know the answers to before considering drafting another first-round offensive lineman.
Round 2, Pick 44 – S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
“The last time the Cowboys drafted a safety in the first two rounds was when they took Roy Williams in 2002, so Moehrig would go counter to the organization's drafting history. But he would give Dallas a much-needed upgrade over free safety Xavier Woods.” – Dane Brugler
In the second round with the 44th overall pick Dane Brugler chose to go with Trevon Moehrig for the Dallas Cowboys. Safety is definitely a need and Moehrig was the first one off the board in Dane's mock draft. He is exactly the kind of versatile/interchangeable safety Dan Quinn needs in his defensive scheme and would pair nicely opposite Donovan Wilson at free safety.
Of the players still left on the board I believe Trevon Moehrig was the right pick for the Cowboys in the second-round. It was either Moehrig – the top-ranked safety by many – or the third or fourth rated player at any other position, including CB and DT. It's a simple way of looking at things, but that falls in line with the “best player available” approach while also filling a position in need.
Depending on what the Cowboys do in free agency I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever if Rashawn Slater or Trevon Moehrig were Dallas' first and second round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Slater would ease any concerns about Tyron Smith's availability in the future and Moehrig would without a doubt upgrade the secondary. The only thing left to do would be to find another starting caliber CB and DT, which could be done later in the draft or through free agency.
