2021 NFL Draft: 3 teams who could target a draft trade with Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys could have a popular pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys got a victory on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but it didn’t cost them much in terms of their 2021 NFL Draft standing.
The Cowboys would currently hold the 4th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft if the season ended today, but with six games yet to play, so much can change.
Let’s say, just for the moment, that Dallas winds up keeping this draft standing and going into the 2021 offseason, they hold the fourth overall pick. This would put them in an enviable position, to say the very least.
If everything in the top 15 picks holds (it won’t, but let’s project for the moment), the Cowboys will be sitting behind two teams clearly in the quarterback market (Jets and Jaguars) as well as a team in the Cincinnati Bengals that will be desperate to get its hands on Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
If those three teams wind up with the top three picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys will have the opportunity to mortgage the fourth overall selection to the team that most desperately covets BYU quarterback Zach Wilson or potentially Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields if Wilson winds up as this draft’s QB2.
There will not likely be a shortage of teams interested in paying the price to move up with the Cowboys, who would have the chance to take Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons — considered arguably the best defensive player in this class — or move down a handful of picks to acquire a king’s ransom of picks.
Which teams might be most likely to move up?
1. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers were on the game’s biggest stage just one season ago.
With injury issues piling up for Jimmy Garoppolo, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan might have to make an aggressive move to get someone else in the building.
In the 49ers’ case, a young quarterback could make some sense. They have a number of absolute stars on offense in terms of their ability to create plays after the catch, making it easy on a young quarterback. Shanahan has always done a good job of tailoring his offense, so making a bold move to get rid of Garoppolo and move up for a Fields or Wilson makes sense for San Francisco.
2. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are proving that their formula works.
Both Teddy Bridgewater and PJ Walker now have had varying levels of success in Matt Rhule’s first year at the helm of the Panthers, and it’s clear this squad has a chance to turn things around pretty quickly.
With the Panthers’ arsenal of receivers and weapons at running back, a young quarterback could thrive with this team.
3. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are going to be desperate for QB help in the 2021 offseason. Right now, they are projected to hold the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but with injuries at quarterback that record could plummet over the final six games of the year.
If the Bears can creep a little closer to the top 10, they have a defense that is worthy of putting a big investment in the quarterback position.