Dallas Cowboys improve defense in seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft

2021 NFL mock draft: Round 5, 176th overall

After hiring Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator, it is likely the Cowboys will adopt a version of Quinn’s 4-3 scheme. With Eli Ankou and Antwuan Woods entering the offseason as impending free agents, the Cowboys should look to add further defensive line depth in the draft. There is no such thing as too many defensive linemen and after drafting Neville Gallimore in the third round last year, the Cowboys could look for another young lineman.

Carlo Kemp, a two-year starter with the Wolverines would add a developmental prospect to the Dallas Cowboy defensive line. Kemp, the top-ranked recruit out of Colorado, committed to Michigan and was an influential lineman in his five years in Don Brown’s system. Kemp is quick at the snap and brings adequate pressure up the middle, accounting for five sacks in Ann Arbor.

Kemp would be a situational passing down defensive tackle in the NFL early in his career with the potential to grow into a more prominent role at the back end of his rookie contract. If Kemp is to handle an NFL lineman and become an every-down player, he would need to add to his frame and improve his fundamentals on rushing downs.

2021 NFL mock draft: Round 5, 187th overall

Iowa native, Shaun Beyer moved from receiver to tight end after redshirting his first year on campus. Beyer saw action early in his Iowa career but failed to register his first reception until the 2019 season. Beyer, a late riser with the Iowa program is unlikely to follow Kittle’s, Fant’s, and Hockenson’s line of great Iowa tight ends in the NFL but could have a productive professional career.

After struggling with injuries and playing behind each of Kittle, Hockenson, and Fant, Beyer again took a secondary role in the Iowa offense playing behind counterpart Sam LaPort. The shortened 2020 season was Beyer’s most productive with the Hawkeyes, registering a total of 11 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown but Beyer’s influence goes beyond the stat line.

Where Beyer excels is in the run offense, acting as one of the best run-blocking tight ends in college football. According to Pro Football Focus, Beyer ranked as the fourth highest-graded tight end in college football last fall primarily due to his run blocking. After a 63 reception breakout season by Dalton Schultz, a tight end is not a pressing need for the Dallas Cowboys entering the 2021 NFL Draft, but there is no such thing as a shortage of productive blockers.

2021 NFL mock draft: Round 6, 221st overall

While it is unlikely the Dallas Cowboys retain all ten original picks this spring, Dallas should look to add depth across at the line of scrimmage. After selecting Jackson Carmen in the third round of this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Cowboys double up at the tackle position, selecting Kentucky’s Landon Young.

After enrolling at in-state Kentucky as a highly recruited five-star tackle, Young made an immediate impression with the Wildcats, blocking for Benny Snell his first two years in Lexington in the Wildcats best rush offense in program history. Young was on the trajectory of living to his five-star rank but suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the 2018 season.

Young rebounded his final two seasons with the Wildcats earning a First-Team All-SEC nod from conference coaches. While Young has had a productive college career in a run-first Kentucky program, he is limited as a pass protector, struggling with quick, edge cutting defenders. As a sixth-round selection, Young has the talent and could become a serviceable depth option in the NFL.

2021 NFL mock draft: Round 7, 233rd overall

As seen as a general theme in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, there are certain positions where there is no such thing as too much depth. Linebacker would again be one of those positions. With their tenth and final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select First-Team All-Big-Ten linebacker Paddy Fisher.

Fisher had an incredibly productive four-year career with Northwestern, accounting for over 400 tackles and four interceptions as a four-year starter. Fisher is an effective sideline-to-sideline defender always finding himself near the ball. The Texas native consistency produced double-digit tackle games flashing underrated speed.

Fisher is unlikely to feature as an every-down linebacker in the NFL but could make an immediate impact as a special teams player early into his NFL career. As a seventh-round selection, Fisher could have an NFL career as a rotational run-down linebacker and there is such thing as a shortage with productive, tackling linebackers.