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Dallas Cowboys 2021 mock draft: Defense, defense, more defense

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) returns an interception for a touchdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama's 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) returns an interception for a touchdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama's 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys, 2021 NFL Draft
Nov 1, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (27) celebrates with teammates after an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Fixing the Dallas Cowboys’ defense in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Without Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys’ 2020 season is basically a lost cause.

The Cowboys hoped they could be competitive with Andy Dalton as Prescott’s backup, and it wasn’t unreasonable of them to expect that given Dalton’s track record as a solid starter in the NFL.

Dalton held down the fort in a win that Dak Prescott started against the New York Giants, but he was terrible in the two follow-up performances as the Cowboys lost by a combined score of 63-13 in his two starts.

In his second start, Dalton was decked by Jon Bostic of the Washington Football Team, paving the way for Ben DiNucci to start on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.

That’s a big yikes.

The Cowboys probably can’t wait to get Dak Prescott back healthy, and at some point in the next few months, they will need to figure out a way to sign him to a long-term contract if they have any chance of being relevant in the coming years.

With Dak’s return to Dallas the assumption at this present point in time, what are the Cowboys to look forward to this season with the 32nd-ranked defense and no starting quarterback?

If the season ended today, the Dallas Cowboys would hold the fifth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. If Prescott is back, the offense is not really a concern at all. The defense is where the Cowboys must pour their valuable 2021 NFL Draft resources.

After a hot start to the season, pass rusher Aldon Smith has cooled off significantly, and defensive end Everson Griffen was traded to the Detroit Lions. Pass rush is a clear area of need for the Cowboys, but the defensive front as a whole needs work.

The secondary has some young pieces in place, but the Cowboys need to continue looking into adding ball-hawks on the back end. The team has long been rumored to be in the market for safeties from their interest in Jamal Adams to Earl Thomas.

The linebacker position might need some competition for Jaylon Smith, who recently is not living up to his big contract.

Let’s get to work building the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft with their top three picks.

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