Dallas Cowboys: Top first-round targets in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Tyler Kirk
Linebacker. Norte Dame. player. 819. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
The 2020 Dallas Cowboys lacked structure when it came to their scheme and their play from the interior of their defense on all levels. It starts with the two inside defensive tackles who had a multitude of injuries. If you get bad play from the interior two defensive tackles, it leads to your interior linebackers having to shed blocks and find ball carriers. In a mix of a tough scheme and bad play inside it led us to the Dallas Cowboys front office questioning the play of their once pro-bowl linebackers, Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith.
These two players were once considered to be the best linebacker core in the league and were only going to get better. As we turn our attention to the 2021 NFL season, it all starts with the scheme change. In this scheme, the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for linebackers that can run from sideline to sideline and have a nose for making plays.
They won’t be looking for the 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker that can fill gaps and cover passing lanes. They want speed, speed, and more speed. Think of Atlanta when they drafted Deion Jones. Think Seattle when they drafted Bobby Wagner.
If the Cowboys draft Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, they will get the speed they are looking for. Some may say that this is a reach for him at 10. I will say that it’s hard to find this type of athlete who can cover the way he does. Owusu-Koramoah does a great job in coverage. He possesses safety like ability to cover tight ends and wide receivers. He does a great job reacting and coming downhill to close lanes and can cover open field effectively.
This is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys are looking for in their new scheme if the team decides to move on from Jaylon Smith or wants to add speed and talent to a linebacker group that can use a new look. If Owusu-Koramoah comes to the Dallas Cowboys on draft night, they will instantly have a playmaker who can be used in multiple different ways, as a safety, linebacker, or even in a similar role to what the Chiefs have Tyrann Mathieu.