NFL Draft 2021: Blockbuster trades that would shake up the first round
Dallas adds an outstanding weapon to their talented offense
A few days ago it came out that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is ‘infatuated’ with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. Shortly after that Pitts responded by saying ‘it’s an honor’ for (Jones) to say that. He also said that he thinks the opportunity to play for the Cowboys would be a great thing. Early in the 2021 NFL Draft season, Pitts seemed like a realistic prospect for Dallas to land with the 10th overall pick. However, in recent weeks, it appears that multiple teams picking earlier in the first ten selections would take Pitts if he was available while they were on the clock.
Despite desperately needing to add premier defensive talent at the top of the draft, Dallas may go in the other direction. Drafting Pitts could push Dallas into elite offensive territory. The mindset there would be that they wouldn’t have to worry about giving up 20+ points a game when they can put up 30+ points a game.
Pitts would be joining an elite group of offensive talent including Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. Prescott would almost definitely always have one or two Pro Bowl-caliber pass catchers in one-on-one coverage for the entirety of games. Pitts would also demand attention over the middle of the field which would take defenders out of the box giving Elliott larger running lanes.
The Atlanta Falcons have made it clear recently that would be interested in moving the fourth overall pick. Many would assume most of the calls Atlanta receives about the selection are for a quarterback. But with Cincinnati and Miami being two potential landing spots for Kyle Pitts, a team interested in the tight end could jump to number four to select him. The Falcons have a decent amount of needs on their roster. But they have enough talented players established to make a run for the playoffs as soon as next season.
If they were to trade down in this scenario, Atlanta could go for the best defensive player on the board. Depending on their preference that could be one of Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II, or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Each of the three would fill a void along Atlanta’s defense, but Parson’s would make the biggest impact on this roster.
They could likely also go best defensive player available with Dallas’ second-round pick in this scenario as well. Asante Samuel Jr. is an undersized cornerback who could play both inside and outside. He is also a ballhawk, which is important because Atlanta lost Damontae Kazee this offseason who was an interception machine for Atlanta’s defense for the last couple of seasons.