NFL Draft Notebook: Dallas Cowboys address their defense and more
By John Blair
The Dallas Cowboys went into the 2021 NFL Draft with one focus and that was to improve a defense that set a franchise record for points allowed in a season. Dallas used its first six on picks on defensive players and overall spent eight of their 11 picks on the defensive side of the ball.
While these players should help upgrade the Dallas Cowboys defense the team could have used these picks better when addressing their needs in the 2021 NFL Draft. An example of this is when they took cornerback Nahshon Wright in the third round over corners such as Ifeatu Melifonwu, Elijah Molden and Robert Rochell. On the positive side, Dallas did get two good values at linebacker with their selection of Micah Parsons in the first round and Jabril Cox in the fourth round.
Along with taking a look at the Dallas Cowboy’s NFL Draft this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also covers the following
- A highly productive middle linebacker who enters the 2021 season with a day three grade
- The top prospects in the Big Ten
- A couple of NFL Draft prospects who announced where they will be playing college football next year
- and much more
Reviewing the Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft
First pick: Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys picked the second-best defensive player in the 2021 NFL Draft when they chose Micah Parsons with the 12th pick. What makes Parsons such a high upside draft pick is his outstanding athletic ability displaying the range to play sideline to sideline vs the run or be a feared pass rusher against the pass. While Parsons does have the natural ability to be an NFL Pro Bowler he is going to need to improve his instincts to live up to this potential.
The Dallas Cowboys are planning on using Parsons in a variety of different roles this season and it would not be a shock to see him getting time at all three linebacker spots this coming season. He also could see time at defensive end in pass-rushing situations.
Best pick: Jabril Cox
One of the better value picks the Dallas Cowboys made in the 2021 NFL Draft is when they took LSU linebacker Jabril Cox in the fourth round. Cox has been an outstanding coverage linebacker during his time at both LSU and North Dakota State. He shows the fluid hips and overall athletic ability to match up vs most tight end or running backs he will be asked to cover.
While Cox might not see the field a ton this year as the Dallas Cowboys already have good depth at outside linebacker, he still should make an impact. The Cowboys will likely use him as a nickel linebacker at times and on several special teams units next season. He will likely develop into a full-time starting linebacker in a year or two.
Worst pick: Nahshon Wright
One of the bigger reaches on the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft is when the Dallas Cowboys took Nahshon Wright in the third round. Wright graded out as a sixth-round pick on my draft board and was ranked even lower by other people including The Athletic who gave him a free agent grade. On the positive side Wright is a taller corner who shows good ball skills, but at this point is more of a developmental prospect and not someone worth a third-round pick.
In terms of where Wright fits in with the Dallas Cowboys, he will likely see very limited action next season as the team refines his technique and adds some weight to his 6-foot-4 183-pound frame. He could also see practice time at both corner and safety to see which position he fits best at in the NFL.
Top undrafted free agent: Nick Eubanks
The Dallas Cowboys were able to get one of the better undrafted free agent tight ends available when they signed Nick Eubanks of Michigan. While Eubanks never had great production in college only catching more than ten passes in a season once, he is an athletic tight end with a high upside.
Eubanks also fills a need for the Dallas Cowboys as their top two tight ends Dalton Schultz and Jeremy Sprinkle will be free agents after this season. It would not be a surprise if Eubanks showed enough this season as a number three tight end to see a much larger role in 2022 if either Schultz or Sprinkle depart after this season.