There is a strong difference of opinion on who the Dallas Cowboys draft targets should be among Cowboys fans for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys currently hold the 10th overall pick in the draft. Most fans agree that the Cowboys need to address the defensive side of the ball, but not all fans agree that the teams first round pick should be used to do it. That is because there is a general consensus that the 2021 draft class is top heavy on the offensive side of the ball. With that knowledge, should the Dallas Cowboys draft targets strictly be offensive players for the first round? That question has sparked a classic debate: Best Player Available VS Need. Which is the better philosophy?
Depending on what side of the argument you fall on the Dallas Cowboys draft targets for 2021 will vary considerably. On the offensive side of the ball, common names within the Cowboys range are OT’s Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater; WR’s Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylon Waddle; TE Kyle Pitts, or potentially a QB such as Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance. The best defensive prospects include LB Micah Parsons, CB’s Caleb Farley and Patrick Surtain, or DL Kwity Paye. Of those two groups, the offensive players are universally considered the better prospects but the Cowboys could really use some defensive help, specifically at cornerback. What should the Cowboys do? And what are the merits of both schools of thought?
BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE
- As an organisation, the goal should be to always draft the best players.
- The Dallas Cowboys may have greater immediate needs at defensive positions but they can address those in free agency, through trades, or in subsequent later rounds of the draft.
- When considering drafting a player in the first round, it is essentially a five year commitment. The team needs could shift substantially within that time and often it takes a few years for even a first round draft pick to develop into a difference maker.
- It is unlikely that one single draft pick will step in and immediately improve your team.
- The draft is a crap shoot and there are no guarantees. There is a greater chance of building a successful team if you consistently draft better players over a period of time instead of trying to fill positions of need with worse players.
- Examples to support “Best Player Available” strategy: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Donald, Patrick Mahomes, CeeDee Lamb, Randy Moss
- Examples to refute “Need” stragety: Taco Charlton, K’Lavon Chaisson, Laken Tomlinson, Kelly Stouffer, Morris Claiborne
NEED
- It is unreasonable to always draft the best player available, especially if that player will not see the field and therefore not help your team at all.
- The draft is a far better and cheaper way to fill your roster than free agency or trade.
- Coaches and players want to improve their teams immediately so they can compete now, not draft replacements so the team can win in 5 years.
- The draft is a crap shoot and their are no guarantees so it is difficult to determine who the best players actually are, especially at different positions and within different schemes, systems, etc.
- Examples to support the “Need” strategy: Travis Frederick, Trevon Diggs, Justin Herbert, Bruce Smith
- Examples to refute “Best Player Available” strategy: Mike Williams, Jordan Love, Sammy Watkins, John Ross
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Sometimes, there are other factors involved in the NFL draft other than Best Player Available VS Need. Positional value for example. It is widely considered poor strategy to invest significant money or draft capital on positions such as running back or off ball linebacker. The relative value that can be found in later rounds of the draft without having to invest in early picks is a deterrent to drafting those positions in the first round. Think about some of the premier players at those positions and where they were drafted. Linebackers like Bobby Wagner and Darius Leonard in the second round and Fred Warner in the third. Running backs like Derrick Henry and Le’Veon Bell also in the second round and Alvin Kamara in the third. Even some of the best wide receivers in the league such as Michael Thomas, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill. Same for tight ends like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Zach Ertz. Meanwhile, elite players at more high profile (higher salary) positions like quarterback, offensive tackle, and pass rusher are rarely found outside of the top half of the first round. Perhaps the Dallas Cowboys draft targets for the 10th overall pick should be concentrated on the positions that carry the most value. Another important factor is the overall positional depth of the draft. For example, defensive tackle happens to be a rather thin position group in this year’s draft class and at the same time a position of need for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, wide receiver and offensive tackle are considered to be deep position groups. With that knowledge, it would seem unwise to use the 10th overall pick on a WR or OT. Perhaps a premium should be placed on DT or Safety, another position of need for the Cowboys. That thought process is reminiscent of the 2017 NFL Draft when the Cowboys committed to drafting an edge rusher in the first round and were still able to find two serviceable cornerbacks in Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in the second and third rounds. The Taco pick was a mistake but with T.J Watt available when the Cowboys picked Charlton, in hindsight the strategy was not at all flawed.
READ MORE: 2020 DALLAS COWBOYS MOCK DRAFT 2.0
Whomever the Dallas Cowboys draft targets may be for the 2021 NFL draft, most Cowboy fans can agree that the optimal outcome would be to trade down and accumulate more picks. Ideally, this would work out to where the Dallas Cowboys can draft the Best Player Available and still draft for need. Not to mention having more draft picks to build their team with. This would accomplish something that most Cowboys fans would consider impossible…it would make everybody happy.
*Photo by Tammy Anthony Baker https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode