Every mock draft is the same.
Quarterbacks galore in the first few picks, a couple more offensive studs come off the board, and then the Cowboys have their pick of the top cornerback in the draft. At this point, Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II feels almost like a lock to be the Cowboys’ tenth overall pick.
But is that really the case?
Every year, weird things happen in the NFL Draft. A trade you didn’t expect, an assumed lock top ten pick falls down the board, the consensus top tackle has a picture released with a gas mask…you get the point.
The NFL Draft is consistently one of the most unpredictable drafts in professional sports, and it’s rare that all the mock drafts are inline with one another and actually correct in reality.
Patrick Surtain II would be a dream pick for the Cowboys. But if something weird happens, and Surtain isn’t there, it’s not the end of the world for America’s Team.
For starters, this is a deep cornerback class. Not only would South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn be an incredible “consolation” prize in the first round, there are a plethora of other cornerbacks to consider later on that draft pundits feel will be ready to play in 2021.
Caleb Farley might be the top cornerback himself if not for medical concerns, Asante Samuel Jr. has proven worthy of late first round consideration, and Greg Newsome II has built a cult following in corners of draft Twitter.
Then there’s the other possibility tenth overall. Drafting for offense.
If Florida tight end Kyle Pitts were to slide to 10, the Cowboys could find their final infinity stone to this already dominant passing offense. Or, they could take Rashawn Slater, and help solidify an offensive line that completely fell apart in 2020.
Right now it feels pretty simple. The Cowboys need to draft Patrick Surtain II, and if not him, then Jaycee Horn. But we all know that when those top nine picks start getting made, something strange will happen, potentially opening the Cowboys up to a currently unforeseen draft route.
Surtain II is my favorite choice at 10, but all I’m saying is we should keep an open mind.
