Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft: What players could they take?
The Cowboys must respond after a 6-10 season that saw Dak Prescott miss most of the year due to injury. They have 10 picks in this year's draft.
America’s team has been in a steep decline since losing to the LA Rams in the NFC Divisional playoff game three seasons ago. Dak Prescott was making a push to be a top QB in the league, and hope was high in Dallas before the Cowboys slumped back to an 8-8 season the next year.
Last year was a dismal season for Jerry Jones’s boys. They were left with out the face of the franchise after Prescott went down with a gruesome ankle injury early in October. Without their star Dallas went 6-10 on the year which leaves them with the 10th pick in the draft.
Dallas could go defensive with first pick in the draft
Prescott’s absence was obviously the biggest determining factor in the Cowboys descension last year. But Jason Garrett knows the defense will need a revamping this season. Don’t be surprised if we see Dallas go after a a big play defender with the 10th pick.
Another possibility is Dallas beefing up their front five to protect Dak this upcoming season. Prescott got big bucks with a contract extension shortly after his injury. Jerry Jones showed he is fully invested in his franchise quarterback, and drafting an offensive lineman would provide a bit more insurance in the backfield for the Dallas play caller.
Penei Sewell is the top O Lineman in the draft
If the Cowboys choose open their draft with a big banger on the line they will have to cross their fingers that Oregon lineman Penei Sewell drops to the 10 spot. Sewell is the top O lineman in this draft class, and the third ranked player overall. There are a few teams higher up on the board that might sweep and and take the former Duck tackle.
If Sewell isn’t available priorities could change to the defensive side of the ball. Jason Garrett will be hoping to secure the secondary, and given both are still available it will be a toss up between Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II or Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley.
Dak's backup could come in later rounds of draft
With Andy Dalton shipping off to Chicago this offseason, Dallas might look to draft a back up for Prescott deeper in the draft. None of the headline QB’s are likely to drop to the round the Cowboys would consider taking Dak’s backup. If Kyle Trask drops to the third round Dallas might take a chance on the former Florida Gator gunslinger.
Dallas have 10 picks this draft, and four in the first 100 selection. Dallas have been desperate to get back to the glory days of the 90’s and this could be the draft that springs them back into a new decade of glory.