The Dallas Cowboys need to keep a close eye on tonight's National Championship game between Alabama and Ohio State. All the talk will be about Justin Fields vs. Mac Jones, but this matchup will feature some of the best defensive talent in the country.

Obviously, other than re-signing Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys' primary focus this offseason will be to upgrade their historically bad defense, and that will start with the draft.

Here are some of the prospects playing tonight that Dallas could look to target in the 2021 NFL draft.

CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

Patrick Surtain II is arguably the best defensive back in the country and has been projected to be selected by the Dallas Cowboys in most of the early mock drafts. The former 5-star recruit has been a 3-year starter for the Crimson Tide and has been one of the best corners in the country since he was a true freshman.

Surtain has only been targeted 45 times all season and has allowed just 19 completions for 256 yards with 11 pass breakups; he’s the definition of a lockdown corner. The Bama product has also added 35 tackles (2.5 for loss), a fumble recovery, and a pick-six as well. In the Rose Bowl against Notre Dame, Surtain was only targeted twice, allowing just 1 catch for 6 yards.

The elite defensive back was a unanimous first team All-American this season and took home SEC DPOY honors. He’s also Pro Football Focus’ highest graded defensive back since 2018.

Surtain will have his hands full tonight against Justin Fields and a loaded Ohio State wide receiver corps, but he’ll have to prove that he’s worth the hype by stepping up to the challenge.

CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State

After having his fair share of ups and downs this season, Shaun Wade is the most polarizing defensive back in this draft. Coming into the season, Wade was widely considered to be one of the top corners of this class, but his inconsistencies have raised many questions regarding how he projects to the next level.

Wade, a 5-star recruit in the 2017 class, started as a freshman at the nickel back position but was moved to outside corner as a junior where his struggles began. Wade seems to have trouble in press coverage and when he’s on an island by himself.

However, as a slot corner in his first 2 seasons in Columbus, Shaun Wade was excellent. When targeted, quarterbacks only completed 52.5% of their passes and had a passer rating of just 68 on average.

Shaun Wade is an extremely talented player with prototypical size (6’1 195), but scouts seem to question his ability to play outside cornerback. He projects to be more of a safety or nickel in the NFL.

That being said, Wade has a huge opportunity to change that narrative tonight, as he will be challenged with defending the Heisman trophy winner, Devonta Smith. If he plays well, he could be back in the conversation as being one of the top corners drafted.

The Dallas Cowboys could look at selecting Wade in the second round.

LB Dylan Moses, Alabama

Like most Alabama recruits, Dylan Moses has been on the NFL’s radar for quite some time. After receiving offers from Alabama and LSU in the eighth grade, Moses was once thought of to be the next generational linebacker.

Before his junior season, the former 5-star recruit was getting early first-round hype before suffering a devastating torn ACL. Prior to his knee injury, Moses was one of the best linebackers in college football when he recorded 86 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble as a true sophomore.

Once Moses decided to come back for his senior season, he was moved from WILL to MIKE in fall camp and has had a solid 2020 season; totaling 74 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception.

Moses is an intriguing prospect for the Dallas Cowboys to target on day 2 of the draft, especially based on how poor their linebacker play has been recently. With his athletic makeup, Moses is a versatile defender who has played OLB, ILB, and EDGE at Alabama, meaning he would be a good fit in any defensive scheme.

At 6’3 240, the Bama product would give the Dallas Cowboys a force in the middle of their defense and could be a potential replacement to Jaylon Smith.

LB Baron Browning, Ohio State

Baron Browning is a solid linebacker that Dallas could look to target in the later rounds.

Browning is another former 5-star recruit who was the number 1 ranked linebacker in the nation coming out of high school. Browning is a highly athletic player who, at 6’4 230, has all the physical tools to be a good starter at the next level.

Browning had limited production this season, but length, burst, and tackling are his best traits; it’ll be fun to watch him showcase those skills tonight against a great Alabama offense.

The Dallas Cowboys could look to target these four players in this upcoming draft to revamp their defense.

Whoever is hired as Mike McCarthy’s new defensive coordinator will be all over these prospects throughout the draft process.

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