The 2021 Dallas Cowboys draft class is expected to be largely made up of defensive players. The Cowboys have major needs at cornerback, safety, linebacker, defensive tackle, and edge rusher. Yet, the popular perception that the offense does not also have its fair share of needs is entirely false. Needs exist on the offensive line presently, and for beyond 2021, tight end and wide receiver are positions that must be addressed as well. The Dallas Cowboys currently have 10 draft picks in total and could use help and additional depth on both sides of the ball. In order to address several of those areas with quality players who are able to contribute and be effective immediately, the Cowboys will need to draft good players and they will also need a great deal of luck. In this dream scenario for the 2021 Dallas Cowboys draft, I have attempted to create a scenario where the Dallas Cowboys are granted both of those things. Before I begin, I need to preface that this is a “Dream Scenario” and therefore unlikely. However, just as we all saw last year, one can never rule out the improbable as impossible. With that in mind, let me paint a picture of the ideal scenario…
Currently, the Dallas Cowboys 10th overall pick has been narrowed down to four names by most pundits and fans of the team. Those names are Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn, Penei Sewell, and Rashawn Slater. There is a very strong possibility that one or more of those players is available and will be the pick at #10 overall. In this scenario, the Dallas Cowboys will have both Rashawn Slater and Jaycee Horn available when they are on the clock with pick #10. They arrived at this crossroad following a run on quarterbacks, a surprise defensive player selected in the top 10, and the three best offensive players being selected. This is how it played out…
- Jaguars select QB Trevor Lawrence
- Jets select QB Zach Wilson
- 49ers select QB Mac Jones
- TRADE***Broncos select QB Justin Fields
- Bengals select WR Ja’Marr Chase
- Dolphins select TE Kyle Pitts
- Lions select LB Micah Parsons
- Panthers select OT Penei Sewell
- Falcons (from Broncos) select Patrick Surtain
The Dallas Cowboys are eager to draft one of either Horn or Slater here but they receive calls from the Patriots, Bears, and WFT all offering to trade up to the 10th spot. The offers are quite generous in the midst of a bidding war and Dallas considers the alternative options if they do trade out. Among those are CB Greg Newsome, OT Christian Darrisaw, LB’s Jeremiah Owosu-Koramoah and Zaven Collins, and S Trevon Moehrig. Being comfortable with all of these players, the Cowboys decide to trade back from pick #10 with the New England Patriots in exchange for picks #15 + 46 +139). Following the trade, the subsequent picks are…
- 10. TRADE***Patriots select QB Trey Lance
- 11. Giants select OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
- 12. Eagles select WR Jaylen Waddle
- 13. Chargers: WR DeVonta Smith
- 14. Vikings select Edge Kwity Paye
Incredibly, this leaves the Cowboys with their top 2 choices at pick #10 now available at pick #15 after they secured additional draft capital in the trade back. The Cowboys do not tempt fate twice and make their selection at pick #15, and the selection is…
PICK #15: OT, RASHAWN SLATER, NORTHWESTERN
The Dallas Cowboys have secured their offensive line with an elite prospect who can step in and start right away at guard. They have also drafted the eventual replacement for Tyron Smith at left tackle to secure Dak Prescott‘s blindside for the next decade. They Cowboys passed on their top remaining cornerback but they now have an additional second round pick to address that position in what is widely considered a deep cornerback class. Or at least that is their thought process until the next 5 players hear their names called…
- 16. Cardinals select CB Caleb Farley
- 17. Raiders select OT Christian Darrisaw
- 18. Dolphins select RB Najee Harris
- 19. Washington select LB Jeremiah Owosu-Koramoah
- 20. Bears select WR Elijah Moore
At this point the Dallas Cowboys are surprised that Jaycee Horn, who they considered drafting at pick #10, is still on the board and they begin considering using some of their additional draft capital to go up and get him. The Indianapolis Colts hold the 21st overall pick but they do not have a third round pick. The Colts are also not liking their options at pick #21 are willing to listen to offers. The Dallas Cowboys offer picks #44 and #46 and in exchange for pick #21 as well as pick #127 to balance out the trade value chart. The Colts accept the offer of both second round picks to move out of the first round and the Dallas Cowboys get their man…
PICK #21: CB, JAYCEE HORN, SOUTH CAROLINA
Cowboys Nation celebrates as the Cowboys aggressively move up to secure the man many consider CB1 in the 2021 draft. The additions of Slater and Horn already constitute a dream scenario for many Cowboys fans but they are not done yet. They still have 10 more draft picks in day 2 and day 3 and there is more damage to be done.
On to day 2 and the Cowboys are without a second round pick, however they have a ton of draft capital and are keen on staying aggressive if the right player falls within striking distance. That is exactly what happens towards the end of the second round. The previous regime did not value the safety position and it has always been a weak spot on the Cowboys defense. New defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn does not want to make the same mistake and he urges Jerry Jones to address the position early in the 2021 draft. Trevon Moehrig and Richie Grant have already been selected earlier in the draft, so there are limited options for the Cowboys. One of those options is Oregon Safety Jevon Holland, who was mocked to the Dallas Cowboys in the latest 7 round mock draft by Dane Brugler of The Athletic. As Holland slides into the back half of the second round, the Cowboys target the Seattle Seahawks who own pick #56. Now, the Seahawks and Cowboys haven’t exactly been able to negotiate deals together of late but the Seahawks are desperate. They only have 3 draft picks in the entire 2021 draft and the Cowboys have a ton of draft capital to offer. The price is steep (pick #75, #99, and #138) but the two teams reach an agreement. The Cowboys are on the clock at pick #56 and they do not hesitate to get their safety…
PICK #56: S, JEVON HOLLAND, OREGON
The Cowboys have drafted a safety and added yet another Canadian born player ensuring that they remain not only America’s Team, but Canada’s Team as well. Here is the how the rest of the Dallas Cowboys draft played out in this dream scenario…
115. DT, Marvin Wilson, Florida State
127. LB, Cameron McGrone, Michigan
139. EDGE, Cameron Sample, Tulane
179. WR, Jaelon Darden, North Texas
192. S, Jamein Sherwood, Auburn
227. EDGE, Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina
238. RB, Shane Simpson, Virginia
So there you have it, the 2021 dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys draft. It may seem like a pipe dream now, but history has shown us that any thing is possible. Certainly, in a year without a combine, with opt out players, and no pre draft visits, this may be the most unpredictable draft yet.
*Photo by Maize and Blue Nation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
Take a safety we already have dalton schultz a future star TE