2021 NFL Draft: Recap and analysis of every pick for all 32 teams

1 (12): Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The Dallas Cowboys do not seem to be concerned about Micah Parsons the person, despite a ton of issues in his past even dating before his days with Penn State. Only time will tell if the Cowboys made a wise investment here, but Parsons has star potential as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher.

2 (44): Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky

A former LSU transfer, Kelvin Joseph really put himself on the map at Kentucky with four interceptions this past season. He only had 15 games played in college, but the upside and athletic talent are undeniable. He should be penciled in as a starter opposite Trevon Diggs.

3 (75): Osa Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA

With long 34-inch arms and tremendous quickness off the snap, the tools are all there for Odighizuwa to be a stud interior pass rusher in the NFL. He needs to be more consistent putting all of his traits and tools together with actual pass rushing skill.

3 (84): Chauncey Golston, EDGE, Iowa

It’s slightly shocking that Golston was the first guy from Iowa picked in this draft, but the Cowboys obviously liked his outside/inside versatility in Dan Quinn’s defense. Golston was consistently productive for the Hawkeyes and had a good showing at the school’s pro day athletically. A team captain at Iowa, Golston should be good for Dallas’ locker room.

3 (99): Nahshon Wright, CB, Oregon State

At 6-foot-4, Wright has rare size for a defensive back and will need to use that to his advantage as his play speed is not ideal for the cornerback spot. With that said, Dan Quinn’s influence is all over this selection given his development of a variety of huge defensive backs (Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman among them) while he was in Seattle.

4 (115): Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

One of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, Jabril Cox really had no business falling to this point in the draft. He is tremendous in the passing game, but scouts worry about his ability to hold up against the run. He should be a starter sooner rather than later and is a steal for the Cowboys here.

4 (138): Josh Ball, OT, Marshall

Another player with pretty substantial off-field concerns, Ball is a talented prospect with big-time size and length who could wind up starting if he stays out of trouble at the next level.

5 (179): Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

A 6-foot-3, 226-pound receiver with blazing speed and tremendous agility averaging nearly one touchdown per six catches over the last two seasons? Add on Fehoko’s special teams ability, and the Cowboys may have themselves a nice mid-round find here.

6 (192): Quinton Bohanna, DL, Kentucky

Bohanna was a team captain for a strong Kentucky defense and offers run stuffing ability with his massive 6-foot-4, 327-pound frame.

6 (227): Israel Mukuamu, DB, South Carolina

There was a time when Mukuamu was being talked about among the better prospects in the country. He saw time at both cornerback and free safety at South Carolina and picked off seven passes in 31 games. Like Wright, Mukuamu is a rare 6-foot-4 defensive back prospect.

7 (238): Matt Farniok, OL, Nebraska

Shoutout to my alma mater Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD, where the entire Farniok family has been tremendous. He was a two-time team captain for Nebraska and saw time at center, right guard, and right tackle.