4 Prospects That The Dallas Cowboys Should Target in The 2021 NFL Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft will be vital for the Cowboys future considering their division and salary cap situation. Their first order of business should be to handle Dak Prescott's contract situation. With Dak in hand, they would easily have the best Quarterback situation in the division. After that, it gets a bit more cloudy. Defensive […]
The 2021 NFL Draft will be vital for the Cowboys future considering their division and salary cap situation. Their first order of business should be to handle Dak Prescott's contract situation. With Dak in hand, they would easily have the best Quarterback situation in the division. After that, it gets a bit more cloudy. Defensive pieces like Aldon Smith and Chidobe Awuzie are on expiring contracts. On the offensive side, most of the notable players will still be under contract. Although, the Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper contracts still loom large.
These are just a couple of the many reasons why the Cowboys must have a draft similar to their 2020 one. Dallas must get great value early in the draft and depth throughout in order to fill out a solid roster. I broke down a handful of players that fit their needs and selections in this year's draft.
Christian Barmore, Interior Defensive Lineman, Alabama (1st-2nd Round)
If you watched the National Championship game this past week, you saw Christian Barmore. Everywhere. Barmore has elite explosiveness and quick hands that allow him to be a force in both the run and pass game. Dallas' current interior is very inexperienced and could use an influx of upside. The Alabama product fits that bill and much more.
He's labeled as the defensive tackle with the most potential in this draft class by many. On film, his power lends him favorably to being a legit pass rusher on the inside in the NFL. If the Cowboys can bring back Aldon Smith, a D-Line headlined by DeMarcus Lawrence, Barmore, and Smith would be scary for opposing teams.
Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU (2nd-3rd Round)
Moehrig is the 2021 winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's best defensive back. He beat out fellow possible Cowboys draftee, Alabama Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, for the award. Moehrig is a well-rounded safety prospect as he can play the centerfield role against the pass but also provide solid run support. Plus, his athleticism is also something to marvel at.
The Horned Frog product also has the size and ball skills to play the center-field role for any team that takes him, a trait the Cowboys desperately need in their secondary. Draft media expects Moehrig to continue to climb draft boards after he tests well either at a pro day or the NFL Combine. In a young secondary, Moehrig would provide Dallas with some leadership and experience even as a rookie in the league.
Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern (1st Round)
At 6'4" and 315 pounds, Slater has shown impressive versatility and footwork throughout his time at Northwestern. That could be paramount for a Cowboys offensive line that has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons. Slater is one of the more polished OL prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft and has consistently proven that against elite competition. Also, his patience is also impressive as he rarely seems to get out of sync or rush himself in pass protection.
Overall, he is about as safe as it comes for an offensive line prospect that is expected to go in the early/middle portion of the first round. So, don't be surprised if the Cowboys value a guy like him early to protect Dak Prescott and help Ezekiel Elliott.
Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech (1st Round)
Caleb Farley is probably best described as a physical freak and a fierce competitor. At his position, Farley owns all of the size and athleticism any defensive coach could dream about. Additionally, he attacks the ball in the air as well as anyone in the class, if not better.
He excels in man coverage and uses physicality to his advantage often in coverage. Not to mention, newly hired Cowboys DC Dan Quinn has always liked aggressiveness and size in his defensive backs (Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, etc.). He has used them very effectively over the years. Could Farley be next in line? Only time will tell.
Dallas has a window to win, so Jerry Jones and co. need to nail the 2021 NFL Draft in order to best take advantage of it. These prospects are just a handful that could help the Cowboys do exactly that.
Featured images via USA TODAY-Sports
