The 2021 NFL Draft will be a very challenging one to predict due to the many obstacles presented as a result of the global pandemic. There will be no combine, pre-draft visits, and many of the top prospects opted out of the 2020 season. For this Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft, I have done my best to make viable selections despite the limited information available. Another consideration regarding this Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft, is that I have made selections at all 10 draft slots without any trades although I expect that there will be some movement in the actual draft. Here are the fundamental principles that governed my thought process for this Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft.
- I have made my selections based on what I predict the Dallas Cowboys might do, unbiased by my own preferences.
- The focus is primarily on defense.
- Best player available within reason was prioritised above need.
- Depth and Special Teams contribution was a factor for many of these selections.
With the above generalisations taken into account and from very limited information gathered on which prospects the Dallas Cowboys have spoken to or have expressed interest in, here is the Cowboys Coffee Talk Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft 1.0.
ROUND 1, PICK #10……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
RASHAWN SLATER, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern
After much deliberation I selected the standout offensive tackle from Northwestern Rashawn Slater with pick #10. With Patrick Surtain, Penai Sewell, Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, and Micah Parsons off the board, other considerations were cornerback Caleb Farley, Tight End Kyle Pitts, or WR Jalen Waddle. Despite the gaping needs on the defensive side of the ball, the overwhelming best players available were on the offensive side of the ball. Determining who the best player available actually was in this case was not an easy task, and while Kyle Pitts would have been an intriguing choice, I decided to go with Slater instead. Slater would instantly project to start on the interior offensive line and could be groomed to become the future Left Tackle for the Dallas Cowboys eventually replacing Tyron Smith. Both Tyron Smith and La’el Collins are expected to return fully healthy for the 2021 season but history has shown that when those guys are out of the lineup, the impact on the Cowboys offense is catastrophic. Slater provides added value as a player that could comfortably slide into the starting left tackle spot if Tyron Smith misses time again as he has in each of the last 5 seasons. The Dallas Cowboys have just invested a lot of money in their franchise QB Dak Prescott and protecting him should be a top priority.
ROUND 2, PICK #44……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
ElIJAH MOLDEN, CB, WASHINGTON
The Dallas Cowboys have been suspect at the slot cornerback position the past few seasons. Incumbent starter Anthony Brown is already under contract and they just extended Jourdan Lewis who has battled Brown for a starting job for several years now. However, with a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn it is possible that several players could be shifting positions. Anthony Brown has experience as an outside corner, second year CB Reggie Robinson is rumoured to be moving back to CB after spending his rookie season trying to learn the safety position, and Jourdan Lewis is a player that many Cowboys fans feel would be an excellent candidate to move to free safety. Elijah Molden has some position versatility himself and according to Joe Rodriguez from CowbosyBlog the Dallas Cowboys have made contact with the diminutive defensive back. Despite his size and speed limitations, Molden is a strong tackler and a highly intelligent and instinctive player. Molden is a quality football player that could really help improve what was a historically bad defense for the Dallas Cowboys last year.
ROUND 3, PICK #77……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
ALIM MCNEILL, DT, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Dallas Cowboys struggled mightily against the run in 2020 and largely because their biggest weakness was the defensive tackle position. They Cowboys signed a couple of free agents in Carlos Watkins and Brent Urban to help sure up that run defense. They will also have Neville Gallimore, Antwaun Woods, and Trysten Hill returning. Hopefully the youngsters Gallimore and Hill can improve in their 2nd and 3rd years respectively but the Cowboys still need to address the position in the draft as well as in free agency. Drafting one of the best defensive tackles in the entire class in Alim McNeill in the 3rd round would be an ideal scenario for the Cowboys. McNeill is extremely athletic for a big man being a former running back and linebacker. He is an impressive physical specimen who could play nose tackle but also shows great potential to develop into a disruptive pass rusher. He would compete for a starting role and be a key contributor in the interior defensive line rotation as a rookie and hopefully develop into something the Cowboys have been missing for more than a decade…a dominant defensive tackle.
ROUND 3, PICK #99……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
ANDRE CISCO FS, SYRACUSE
The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of an upgrade at the free safety position. It remains to be seen what moves they will make in free agency or what current players on the roster they could consider moving into that position. ie. Jourdan Lewis. The Dallas Cowboys have notoriously not invested high draft picks in the safety position in the draft but that could change with Dan Quinn coaching the defense. Andre Cisco offers tremendous upside with his elite athleticism and exceptional ball skills and production. There are injury concerns as well as reservations due to his propensity to give up huge plays. Cisco needs to be groomed into a more consistent football player but at the very bottom of the 3rd round it would hard to pass up a player that has proven to be a ball hawk and possesses such desirable athletic traits.
ROUND 4, PICK #115……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
CAMERON MCGRONE, LB, MICHIGAN
The Dallas Cowboys linebacker position quickly devolved from a position of strength in 2018 to a position of weakness in 2020. Jaylon Smith has regressed after a promising 2018 season and Leighton Vander Esch has struggled with injuries and poor play after an impressive rookie campaign. Sean Lee could be hanging up his cleats this offseason but even if he decides to return for another year, his injury history makes him an unreliable option. The Dallas Cowboys definitely need to invest in linebacker help and the draft is the best way to replenish that position. Cameron McGrone is highly intelligent, tough, gritty, and very capable against the run and in coverage. He has limited experience in college but he projects to be a guy that could step in and play right away if called upon at the next level. If he is available at the top of the 4th round I think that would be a great spot for the Cowboys to draft him. He would add extra depth at linebacker as well as contribute on special teams.
ROUND 4, #138……the Dallas Cowboy select………
CAMERON SAMPLE, DE, TULANE
Cameron Sample would be the perfect player to come in and replace pending free agent and team captain Tyrone Crawford. Position versatility was one of the things that made Crawford invaluable and Sample has the ability to play all along the defensive line, stop the run, and contribute as a rotational piece just as Crawford has done. At the end of the fourth round is great value to find a player that promises to be a key contributor for several years.
ROUND 5, PICK #178……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
JAELON DARDEN, WR, NORTH TEXAS
The 2021 Draft class is deep at the wide receiver position. It wouldn’t be surprising nor would it be unwise for the Dallas Cowboys to draft a wide receive given Michael Gallup has an expiring contract and they have not restructured and extended Amari Cooper yet. Jaelon Darden would be an excellent option should he be available in the 5th round. Darden could eventually become the full time slot receiver while CeeDee Lamb could make the move to the outside. Darden also offers additional value as a return man on special teams.
ROUND 6, PICK #191…..the Dallas Cowboy select………
TYREE GILLESPIE, S, MISSOURI
Safety Tyree Gillespie out of Missouri could be a day 3 pick who could contribute as a core special teamer and provide depth at safety. He is a physical player with solid instincts but lacks elite speed and athleticism.
ROUND 6, #222……the Dallas Cowboy select………
BRENDEN JAIMES, OT, NEBRASKA
Brenden Jaimes has experience at both left and right tackle but some experts believe he is better suited to play guard in the NFL. If the 2020 season has taught Cowboys fans anything it is that additional depth on the offensive line is never a bad idea.
ROUND 7, PICK #236…..the Dallas Cowboy select………
TARRON JACKSON, EDGE, COASTAL CAROLINA
the final selection in this Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft is development edge rusher Tarron Jackson. Jackson had impressive production in college and he was a stand out at the 2021 senior bowl.
The NFL free agency period is underway and as the Cowboys begin to sort out their roster, we will get a much clearer picture of what the biggest team needs will be come draft time. Stay tuned for the Dallas Cowboys 2021 7 round mock draft 2.0 to follow in due time.
*Photo by Maize and Blue Nation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
Farley or Horn in the first round and Richie Grant in round 2.
Kyle Pitts over Slater for me. I also think McNeill and Cisco get drafted in the 1st or 2nd round.
Im going with Jaycee Horn…or trade down a few spots