Dallas Cowboys: Top first-round targets in the 2021 NFL Draft

As the 2021 NFL Draft approaches, the Dallas Cowboys sit in a great position to make a splash with the 10th overall pick. It would be an understatement to say that there is always excitement surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and who they will draft. This year, the Cowboys have 10 total picks and will be adding youth to their team.

The Dallas Cowboys faced a ton of different adversities in the 2020 NFL season including, injuries, coaching staff, and a nationwide pandemic. While there are no excuses to be made, these factors led the team to a 6-10 record falling to third in the standings of the NFC East or as many say “The NFC Least”. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dallas will have a coaching staff mostly in order as the only major change was to their defensive coordinator spot.

The Cowboys have many needs to address as we look forward to the 2021 NFL Draft and it all starts for the team with their tenth overall pick. I will address a couple of players I believe the Dallas Cowboys will try to target with this first-round selection.

If the Dallas Cowboys have a chance to select Patrick Surtain II in the 2021 NFL Draft, it would be a huge sigh of relief to the front office. I have watched extensive film of Surtain and he surely merits the 10th overall selection. He would add cornerback one type traits to a secondary room that already has Trevon Diggs, who was last year’s top cornerback from Alabama.

I think that the pairing of these two would help add cohesiveness to a unit that lacked as much in the 2020 NFL season. Surtain displays great ability to mirror receivers and is a great corner near the line of scrimmage. I think there is some concern with his ability to match the receiver’s speed on longer routes. While he may not run a fast 40-yard dash, I do believe Surtain has exceptional closing speed and has great length to cover NFL receivers.

Surtain will have a ton of interest in the top part of the 2021 NFL Draft. Surtain also has bloodlines in the NFL, as his father also played cornerback in the NFL and was a great player. I think that Surtain is the most NFL-ready cornerback and would step in as a day one starter. One final note on Surtain, he has great footwork and technique, this is why I think he will make an easier transition than most.