Dallas Cowboys: Three offensive prospects in play for 10th overall
Many assume that the Dallas Cowboys will pick the best defender available with its first-round draft pick. That is far from a foregone conclusion, though. Cornerback has been the popular position connected to the Cowboys in mock drafts thus far in draft season. There are three cornerbacks receiving tons of first-round hype: Virginia Tech's Caleb […]
Many assume that the Dallas Cowboys will pick the best defender available with its first-round draft pick. That is far from a foregone conclusion, though.
Cornerback has been the popular position connected to the Cowboys in mock drafts thus far in draft season. There are three cornerbacks receiving tons of first-round hype: Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley, Alabama's Patrick Surtain II, and South Carolina's Jaycee Horn.
The Cowboys certainly have weaknesses in the secondary. Those weaknesses are emphasized even more with Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Xavier Woods all hitting free agency. With just Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown at corner, it makes sense for Dallas to address the position early.
Notre Dame linebacker-safety hybrid Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore are other possibilities for the Cowboys in round one. There is reason to believe that Dallas prioritizes defense in the 2021 NFL Draft.
There is no arguing that the defense has to be improved. The easiest way to do that is, of course, to add more talent to that side of the ball. That said, the Cowboys should not box themselves into reaching on a defender for the sole purpose of addressing the defense.
The offense has some areas of improvement, as well. For one, Dak Prescott remains unsigned. Secondly, the offense lacks explosive, game-breaking speed. Thirdly, the offensive line could use some reinforcements.
We recently identified three defenders that will likely be in play for the Cowboys' first-round draft pick. Now, we highlight three prospects on the other side of the ball.
BEST OFFENSIVE SKILL PLAYER AVAILABLE
The Cowboys do not necessarily need more weapons on offense. Still, building on your strength is what the best teams across the league typically do. Be it defensive line, offensive line, or wide receiver, it makes sense to improve your best position unit.
Therefore, we should not completely rule out offense in the first-round. This year's draft class has some elite talent at pass catcher. Kyle Pitts is one of the best tight ends to come out in recent years, while receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Devonta Smith are all bonafide day-one talents.
Michael Gallup's rookie contract expires next offseason, while both Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown are up for new deals this offseason. It would make sense for the Cowboys to add a receiver at some point in the draft, even if they opt to wait until late to do so.
But if one of the three aforementioned wideouts — or Kyle Pitts, for that matter — are on the board, Dallas would be hard-pressed to pass. Assuming that Farley and Surtain have already been drafted, of course.
Waddle is likely the best chance to be the pick. He possesses elite, game-changing speed with the ability to score from anywhere on the field. Adding his speed to an already impressive Cowboys offense would have the potential to take the team to new heights.
Chase and Smith are also special talents at receiver. Kyle Pitts is a football unicorn and would immediately present Dallas with a unique weapon to attack defenses with. Bottom line: offense is more important than ever. So, it makes sense to continue to invest premium resources into that side of the ball.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: RASHAWN SLATER (OR PENEI SEWELL)
Tyron Smith is not getting any younger and injuries are becoming more and more of a concern for the future Hall of Famer. La'el Collins was dominant in 2019, but a hip injury kept him sidelined for the entire 2020 Cowboys season. Even Zack Martin missed time last season.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah have each linked an offensive tackle to the Dallas Cowboys in their respective mock drafts. Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are both seen as potential franchise offensive linemen, and the Cowboys have shown that they prioritize that part of the roster over the years.
Sewell is largely viewed as a top-5 prospect in this year's draft class. Jeremiah actually ranks Slater ahead of the former Oregon lineman. Either way, both are near-locks to be drafted in the top-15 picks.
Investing resources on the offensive side of the ball is becoming a trend around the NFL. There is some thought that the Cowboys will want to shore up the trenches in order to protect Dak Prescott and company. Injuries and inconsistent play from the offensive line hurt Dallas for large stretches last season.
Adding a talent such as Sewell or Slater would put the Cowboys back in the best offensive line conversation.
QUARTERBACK?
The fact of the matter is that we are entering March soon and Dak Prescott remains unsigned. Dallas will place the franchise tag on Prescott while negotiating a long-term deal, but it remains to be seen if the two sides will ever see eye-to-eye on a second contract.
Signing Prescott is in the best interest of the Cowboys. He is undoubtedly a top-10 quarterback in the world and gives Dallas the best chance to compete. That said, quarterback has to be in the equation. Dallas cannot afford to fumble the Prescott situation without a plan.
That brings us to the third possibility for the Cowboys if Dallas opts for offense in the first-round. The 2021 quarterback class features five likely first-round picks.
Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are both expected to be top-3 picks. Justin Fields will hear his name called sooner than later. Trey Lance is a lock and Mac Jones is receiving top-10 hype in Feburary.
The point is: quarterback should be in play if Prescott isn't signed. Both Fields and Lance have drawn comparisons to Prescott, and both appear to have high ceilings. The two quarterbacks have big arms and have more than enough athletic ability to hurt defenses in multiple ways.
Dallas should be doing their due-diligence on signal-callers until Dak Prescott is signed. The Cowboys cannot afford to fall back into quarterback purgatory. So, they better get this right if they opt not to extend their highly-talented franchise caller.
Defense is without a doubt the favorite to be the Cowboys' first-round pick. That said, keep an eye out for one of these three possibilities for Dallas in April.
Featured image via Kent Gidley via USA TODAY Sports
