The Dallas Cowboys draft targets for the 2021 NFL draft will include players from numerous position groups. Although the Cowboys are sure to fill some of the many team needs in free agency, they are also set to lose several players in free agency this offseason. The cornerback position is one such area that is expected to experience quite a bit of turnover. Starters Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are unrestricted free agents and the Cowboys do not have a lot of quality depth there either. That is why most Cowboys fans consider cornerback the primary need for the Dallas Cowboys draft in 2021. With cornerback being such a big need, there is a good chance the Dallas Cowboys draft one or maybe even two of them with one of their premium draft picks. Here is a breakdown of the the top cornerback prospects, who would all be great fits with the Dallas Cowboys, and that they may target in the early rounds of the 2021 NFL draft.
1. CALEB FARLEY (VIRGINIA TECH)
The top cornerback prospect in my opinion is Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech. Farley is listed at 6″2 and 207 lbs. That size should make him an attractive prospect for many teams, but especially the Dallas Cowboys. Farley possesses game breaking speed, has excellent ball skills, and elite athleticism. Of all the top cornerback prospects, he has the most obvious potential to become a perennial All-Pro in the NFL.
Concerns: Although Farley is excellent in coverage, he is considered a poor tackler. He does have some durability concerns and has not played in over a year after opting out of the 2020 season.
Assessment: Caleb Farley may be an option if the Dallas Cowboys draft at their current position #10 overall. Farley would be a bit of risk but has excellent upside and could be a great compliment to 2nd year corner Trevon Diggs. I would be extremely pleased as a fan if Farley were to become the 2021 First round Dallas Cowboys draft pick.
2. PATRICK SURTAIN II (ALABAMA)
Many people consider Patrick Surtain II, son of former NFL DB Patrick Surtain, as the best cornerback in the 2021 draft class. Surtain is another big corner at 6″2 and 203 lbs. Coming from out of Alabama, it is a given that he is well coached and that is part of the reason that he is considered to be the most pro ready cornerback in the entire draft class. Surtain has no weaknesses to his game. He is solid in coverage and an excellent tackler. He is physical but smart and very disciplined, which should translate well at the NFL level. In addition to being fundamentally sound, Surtain also has impressive ball skills.
Concerns: The one concern with Patrick Surtain is that similar to his former teammate and current Cowboy Trevon Diggs, he does not possess elite top end speed.
Assessment: If the Dallas Cowboys drafted Surtain, it would reunite him with this former teammate Trevon Diggs so they should have natural chemistry as a potential tandem. My biggest concern is that with Surtain the Cowboys would have two corners lacking in top end speed, which is a serious disadvantage in today’s game. I do like the player, but I would prefer that Patrick Surtain II is not the first round Dallas Cowboys draft pick of 2021.
3. JAYCEE HORN (SOUTH CAROLINA)
Jaycee Horn is the son former NFL WR Joe Horn. He has decent size at 6″1 and 205 lbs and is a very aggresive, phsyical corner. Horn can cover any receiver and he will move around to follow the opposing team’s best player. Horn does not have the same level of ball skills as the other 2 corners I have rated above him but he has improved in that area and is considered and ascending prospect. Jaycee Horn does possess top end speed but he is not as fast as Caleb Farley is.
Concerns: Some consider Horn to be too aggressive and they fear that he will draw a lot of penalties at the NFL level. While Horn is a willing tackler, he has been identified as having poor technique sometimes and therefore misses a lot of tackles.
Assessment: It is concerning for Cowboys fans to draft a cornerback who is considered a poor tackler given their issues stopping the run but coverage skills are more critical at that position. Personaly, I think Jaycee Horn would be an excellent addition to the Dallas Cowboys defense. While many would consider pick #10 too rich for Horn, he may be worthy of a selection at that spot. Ideally, the Dallas Cowboys can trade back from pick #10 to secure more draft capital. In such a scenario, if they are still able to land Jaycee Horn with their first round selection, most Cowboys fans would be thrilled. One never knows, maybe Horn is a surprise option in round two much like Trevon Diggs was last year for the Cowboys.
4. TYSON CAMPBELL (GEORGIA)
The 6″2, 185 lb cornerback out of Georgia is a gifted athlete with impressive speed. Campbell is a little more raw than the rest of the corners on this list but he is a rising prospect. Campbell possesses the physical tools that could make him a future star in the NFL with some grooming and development.
Concerns: Campbell does not have nearly the same level of production as the other cornerbacks on this list and has not shown the same consistency either. Campbell is a clear tier below the rest of this group.
Assessment: Should the first round Dallas Cowboys draft pick be anything other than a cornerback, the team may need to be more aggressive and reach for one in round two. If Campbell ended up being the Dallas Cowboys 2nd round draft pick, I would be perfectly content if they landed him there. If he should become available in the third round or later, he would be an absolute steal in my opinion. In my ideal scenario, the Cowboys trade back from #10, land an impacful player in the first round such as OT Rashawn Slater, DT Christian Barmore, or LB Zaven Collins. Then, they find quality prospects at various positions of need in the subsequent rounds. Tyson Campbell would qualify as a quality Dallas Cowboys draft pick in the second or third round in my view.
*Photo by Katie Dugan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode