The Dallas Cowboys draft targets for the 2021 NFL draft will include players from numerous position groups. The defensive tackle position is one such position that will need to be upgraded. Popular opinion is that the 2021 defensive tackle class is considered one of the weakest position groups in the draft so many believe the Cowboys should look to free agency to address that position. Regardless, the Dallas Cowboys draft priorities should still have defensive tackle ranked near the very top. After all, this team routinely gave up 200 and 300 yards rushing in games last season and could not generate any pressure in the interior. The Cowboys will need to upgrade by any means necessary and that likely means both in free agency AND the draft. Defensive tackle has long been a Dallas Cowboys draft need and here is a list of top defensive tackle 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.
READ MORE: 2021 NFL DRAFT; BEST PLAYER VS NEED
1. CHRISTIAN BARMORE (ALABAMA)
The consensus top DT prospect is Alabam’s Christian Barmore. Barmore is 6″5 and 310 lbs of pure nastiness. He plays football with violent rage, he disrupts the pocket, and he is an accomplished pass rusher as well. Barmore really came into his own down the stretch of the 2020 college football season. He shone brightest on the biggest stage in the college football playoffs helping Alabama win yet another NCAA National Championship.
Concerns: Barmore is not a naturally explosive player and he struggled with consistency during his college career.
Assessment: In a weak defensive tackle class lacking in pass rushers, Barmore’s value may rise significantly in the NFL draft. He is a very realistic option for the Cowboys in a trade back scenario in the first round but may not be out of the question at pick #10 although most would consider that a reach.
2. ALIM MCNEILL (SOUTH CAROLINA)
Alim McNeil is a big and powerful interior defensive lineman who stands 6″2 and weighs 320 lbs. He is a solid run defender and he has very good hands which he uses to take on and shed blocks. McNeil could really benefit the Cowboys front seven thanks to his ability push the pocket and thus make the jobs of the struggling linebackers on the roster much easier.
Concerns: Alim McNeil is not very refined as a pass rusher but he does have the potential to develop into one.
Assessment: If the Dallas Cowboys draft Alim McNeill he would immediately help improve their dreadful run defense. McNeill could be an option in the 2nd round or if the Cowboys get lucky he’ll be available in round 3. Run stopping defensive tackles tend to fall in most drafts but then again this year could be the exception since the position is considered thin in the 2021 draft.
3. TYLER SHELVIN (LSU)
Tyler Shelvin is a mountain of man at 6″3 and 346 lbs. He opted out in 2020 but was a key component of the 2019 LSU Tigers NCAA National Championship winning team. Shelvin is fairly athletic for a man his size and he is quite effective at taking on double teams and occupying space. Shelvin also plays with great effort in spite of his size and he has the potential to be a dominant run defender in the NFL.
Concerns: Shelvin did opt out of the 2020 season and has only played one full season as a starter. There are also concerns due to his sheer size and since he is considered a pure run stopper without much pass rush ability. Shelvin would very likely be only a 2 down player in the NFL.
Assessment: Most NFL teams tend to devalue the two down, run stopping, defensive tackle. This is a Cowboys team that has routinely given up hundreds of yards on the ground though. It would be a smart move for the Cowboys to invest a little draft capital on players like Shelvin who could help them stop the bleeding in the run game. If the Dallas Cowboys draft Shelvin in the 3rd or 4th round, it would be a worthy selection for a mid-round draft pick.
4. MARVIN WILSON (FLORIDA STATE)
Yet another big run stopping defensive tackle is Florida State’s 6″3 and 320 pound Marvin Wilson. Wilson is another player who can effectively eat up double teams and occupy space. Wilson is a good athlete and plays hard. He was considered a potential 1st round pick after strong 2018 and 2019 seasons but he suffered a season ending injury in 2020 after he decided to stay in school for another year instead of declaring for the draft.
Concerns: Wilson suffered a knee injury in November that ended his 2020 season so there is some concern there. He is also considered to be primarily a 2 down run stopper similar to Shelvin. Wilson could use some refinement in his technique and may have benefited by going back to school for yet another year since he was eligible to do so.
Assessment: Marvin Wilson could be a dominant player for an NFL team that is willing to take a risk on him. If not for his injury, he could have been in the conversation of the top defensive tackles in the draft class. Similar to Tyler Shelvin, if the Dallas Cowboys draft Marvin Wilson in the 3rd or 4th round it would be excellent value there and he could really help out in defending against the run.
*Photo by Tammy Anthony Baker https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s content everyday along with a cup
of coffee.