The 2021 offseason will be a critical offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, as the decisions they make will impact the future of the team for the next generation. One of the biggest decisions the team will have to make is what to do with quarterback Dak Prescott. If they let Prescott go they are entering a rebuilding stage, but if they resign him they should be back to being a playoff contender next season.
The team will also need to make wise picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. The team holds the 10th pick in the draft, which is the highest they have picked since 2016 when they chose Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick in the draft. Dallas currently holds six picks in the 2021 NFL Draft but could have up to ten after compensatory picks are awarded. Let’s look ahead and see how the Dallas Cowboys can improve this offseason with a complete seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft for the team.
Round 1: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The biggest area the Dallas Cowboys need to address this offseason, assuming they resign Dak Prescott, is in the secondary. Last season, the Cowboys gave up 30 touchdown passes which ranked 30th in the NFL. The team also has several key free agents at this position they could possibly lose this offseason including Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis. The only bright spot at this position for the team was 2020 second-round draft pick, Trevon Diggs.
Look for the Dallas Cowboys to team up Diggs with his former college teammate Patrick Surtain, when they take him with the 10th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Last season, Surtain was rarely challenged in coverage as he only allowed 25 yards receiving against him last season. When teams did throw against him Surtain was able to make his share of plays as well as he broke up a team-high 12 passes.
When it comes to how Surtain transitions to the NFL, there is no doubt he could develop into one of the best corners in the game. To start with he has ideal size coming in at 6-foot-2 and moves extremely well for someone his size. He also has the speed and overall quickness to excel. Plus he shows fundamentally sound play, so he should be able to make an impact from day one in the NFL.
If Surtain is off the board by the time the Dallas Cowboys pick in the first round, cornerback Caleb Farley would also make sense for the team.
Round 2: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Cowboys continue to address their secondary in the second round of this mock draft. This time picking TCU’s Trevon Moehrig with the 42nd pick. Taking Moehrig with this pick would give the Cowboys four young, talented players in the secondary in Donovan Wilson, Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain and Moehring. This group would turn this position from an area of need to a position with great potential.
The Dallas Cowboys would also be wise to take a safety at this spot as they only caused 10 interceptions last season, and only two of them came from the team’s starting safeties. Both of these picks happened to come from 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson
If the Dallas Cowboys snag Trevon Moehig in the second round they would be getting a ball hawk who would team well with Wilson. Over the past two seasons, Moehig has accounted for six interceptions and also broken up 20 passes for the Horned Frogs. To go along with his ball skills, he also displays the speed to cover a lot of ground in the NFL.
If the team decides to move Donovan Wilson over to free safety, and add a strong safety in the draft, a player like Talanoa Hufanga from USC would make sense.
Round 3: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
The Dallas Cowboys address their defense yet again in the third round of this mock draft. While this draft would obviously have a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, when you allow almost 30 points a game, things need to change. This time the team decides to address a need along the defensive line with their third-round pick.
The Cowboys struggled in free agency in 2019 when it came to signing defensive tackles. The team decided to bring in Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy last offseason, and neither one of these players is still with the team. While the team does have some potential at this position with both Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill showing promise, neither player has proven he is the long-term answer at the position.
If the team was able to select Iowa’s, Daviyon Nixon in the third round, they would be getting a player who would be the ideal fit in new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s system. Nixon is the quick explosive defensive tackle that Quinn has preferred in the past, and at the bare minimum could work in as a rotational defensive lineman as a rookie.
Round 4: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
In the fourth round of this mock draft, the Cowboys look to bring in a possible down the road replacement for Tyron Smith. Last season, BYU’s Brady Christensen was the second-highest grade of any player in college football by Pro Football Focus. Even if he is not able to stay at left tackle in the NFL due to a lack of athleticism, he should provide solid depth for La’el Collins at right tackle. This could be a critical role as Collins is coming off a 2020 season-ending injury.
Round 6: Elerson Smith, DE, UNI
While defensive end is not a major need for the Cowboys, the team might find it hard to pass on Northern Iowa defensive end Elerson Smith in the sixth round. Smith would be a great value pick in the sixth round for a couple of reasons with the first one being his outstanding production in college.
In 2019, Smith led the Panthers with 14 sacks and was one of the best pass rushers in the FCS. He also had a strong Senior Bowl week which helped his draft stock immensely. During Senior Bowl week, he showed a nice burst off the line and proved his game can transition from a small school to the NFL.
Round 7: Noah Grey, TE, Duke
The Dallas Cowboys wrap up their draft by taking a tight end in Duke’s Noah Grey. While Grey would not offer much as a blocker, he does show the skills to be a decent receiver at the next level. Grey displays reliable hands and does a great job of finding open space in zone coverage. He would have a chance of becoming the Cowboys’ third tight end behind Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz which is all you can really ask from a seventh-round pick.