Dallas Cowboys focus on defense in 2021 seven-round NFL mock draft
By John Blair
The Dallas Cowboys go into the 2021 NFL Draft looking to upgrade their defense that finished 28th in the NFL last season, allowing close to 30 points a game.
The team has gone out and signed some valuable free agents to reasonable deals including Keanu Neal and Tarrell Basham. However, even with these additions the team still needs to upgrade each level of its defense in order to make a playoff run next season.
Dallas Cowboys mock draft: Round 1, 10th overall
1. 123. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Patrick Surtain II. player. Scouting Report. CB
One of the biggest priorities for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft is to upgrade the cornerback position. While the team is set with Trevon Diggs as one of its starters the team needs to find someone to start opposite of him. The team does just that with the selection of Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II in the first round.
Surtain is the top corner in the 2021 NFL Draft and is also the most pro-ready defender in the draft. He was a three-year starter at Alabama and is one of the most technically refined corners to come out of college in years. He also has the size Dallas likes coming in 6-foot-2. Surtain and Diggs would likely combine to make one of the best young pair of corners in the NFL.
It also would not be a tremendous shock if the Cowboys went with the best player available with this pick and took Florida tight end, Kyle Pitts. This pick would make sense as team owner and general manager Jerry Jones seems to love Pitts’ game, and he would give Dak Prescott another option in the passing game.
However, the smart money is still on Surtain with this pick as it is unlikely Pitts will fall this far and cornerback is a more pressing need.