The 2020 NFL Draft had to alter the way things were done because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's probably nothing like what will take place in 2021. With opt-outs, season cancellations, and all of the other uncertainties surrounding the collegiate season, the 2021 NFL Draft could be one for the history books.
Right now there's no way of knowing how much this current pandemic will impact next year's draft cycle, but one thing's for sure it's going to be an unprecedented one. Scouts and analysts will have less tape to utilize for the evaluation process, and as a result predicting anything with any kind accuracy at this point is almost impossible.
Despite all of that though, it hasn't stopped all of these way-too-early 2021 mock drafts. They serve their purpose for entertainment value, however, that's about all they are good for. With that in mind, I thought we'd take a look at Pro Football Focus (PFF) recent first-round prediction to see who they selected for the Dallas Cowboys. Let's get to it, shall we?
27. Dallas Cowboys – CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
“The Cowboys are entering the 2020 season with a hope and a prayer at the cornerback position after losing Byron Jones in free agency. Surtain could change that. He was starting as a true freshman for the Tide back in 2018 and earned a 78.7 coverage grade that season. At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Surtain has an ideal size-and-length combination, but his lack of elite speed could drop him a bit.”
Even though the Dallas Cowboys double dipped (Trevon Diggs, Reggie Robinson) at the cornerback position in the 2020 NFL Draft, it wouldn't be all that surprising to see them take another CB early in 2021. It's no doubt still a position of need, although there's no way of knowing right now how big of a priority it really is.
If Patrick Surtain II is indeed still available when they are on the clock, it would probably be a no-brainer to write his name on the draft card. He is a Top 5 player at his position, and there are those who believe he'll be the first CB off the board. That could mean he might not make it out of the Top 10.
To slide all the way to No. 27 right in the lap of the Dallas Cowboys could be a dream come true. No matter how well Trevon Diggs or Reggie Robinson plays this year, the Cowboys are going to have to add more depth to the CB position with Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Daryl Worley all becoming free agents after the 2020 season. Patrick Surtain could very well be the perfect solution.
