The 2021 draft season is still in its early stages and yet fans around Cowboys Nation seem to have already made up their minds who they would like the Dallas Cowboys to draft with the 10th overall pick in the first round. Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley, and Rashawn Slater are the favorites as of right now, however, a new name is starting to emerge as well… Defensive Tackle Christian Barmore.
Christian Barmore has seen his draft stock rise significantly the last few weeks after the way he played in the National Championship game against Ohio State. He announced to the world, and more importantly NFL scouts, he’s the best defensive tackle prospect in the 2021 draft class and the next Alabama game-wrecker to bring his talents to the NFL.
Barmore was largely considered as a solid second-round prospect, but is quickly climbing many draft analysts draft boards into the mid-first round range. Dane Brugler, a well-respected draft analyst and Staff Writer for The Athletic, currently has the former Alabama DT ranked 18th overall in his recent Top 100 rankings.
There’s no denying Christian Barmore’s talents. He has the ability to be disruptive in both the running and passing game on any given down and the versatility to play up and down the defensive line. In a relatively weak DT class, Barmore could be coveted by many teams looking to upgrade the interior of their defensive line, including the Dallas Cowboys.
If we learned anything from the Dallas Cowboys 2020 season the need to upgrade their defensive line is without a doubt an offseason priority. They’ve ignored investing very much money in free agency or draft capital in upgrading the position over the years. Maybe, just maybe that will change in 2021. I wouldn’t hold my breath though.
Although Christian Barmore would be a near perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s 4-3 defensive scheme as either a 3 or 1-technique, the Dallas Cowboys simply aren’t known as a team who values the DT position in the first round. In fact, the last time they drafted a DT that early was way back in 1991 when they selected Russell Maryland first overall.
Honestly, I don’t like Christian Barmore’s chances of joining the Dallas Cowboys if it’s going to require them using the 10th overall pick in the first-round. Although he definitely plays a position of “need” and will likely continue to rise draft boards the closer we get to the 2021 NFL Draft, Dallas’ draft history doesn’t support making such a move.
There is a way his chances of becoming a Dallas Cowboys increase though. The first and most obvious way would be for Dallas’ draft board to be pretty much wiped out when they’re on the clock at 10th overall and Barmore is the top ranked player still on their board. The other is to target him in a trade down scenario, which seems the more likely scenario of the two.
Only time will tell how this will end up playing out. I for one won’t be holding my breath. Christian Barmore very well may continue to climb draft boards, however, that doesn’t mean the importance the Dallas Cowboys place on his position will change between now and then, whether he’s worthy or not.
