Dallas Cowboys: Way too early 2021 three-round mock draft
Now that the Dallas Cowboys’ disaster of a season is finally behind us, it’s time to set our sights on the 2021 NFL Draft. Dallas has a ton of holes to fill this offseason with over 20 Cowboys set to become free agents, so this is an extremely important draft for this franchise. Obviously, other […]
Now that the Dallas Cowboys’ disaster of a season is finally behind us, it’s time to set our sights on the 2021 NFL Draft.
Dallas has a ton of holes to fill this offseason with over 20 Cowboys set to become free agents, so this is an extremely important draft for this franchise.
Obviously, other than re-signing Dak Prescott, this team’s primary focus this off-season will be to improve their historically bad defense. Jerry Jones has already begun that process by firing Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan last week and brining in former Falcons’ Head Coach Dan Quinn.
Dallas holds the 10th overall selection in this upcoming draft, meaning the Cowboys are primed to add a much-needed difference maker to their roster.
This early mock draft is meant to be fun and will give you some names to keep an eye on as the draft approaches, so don’t take it too seriously.
This will be a 3-round mock draft where I will give a brief scouting report and synopsis on each of the players selected.
So, without further ado, I present you my ‘Way Too Early Mock Draft’ . . .
Round 1, 20th Overall (Trade with the Chicago Bears)
iDL Christian Barmore, Alabama
Christian Barmore is the best defensive tackle in this class but taking him in the top-10 is a little too generous. Trading back with the Bears, and selecting him at 20th overall, is a likely scenario if one of the top quarterbacks were to fall. Trading back is the best option for Dallas because they'll be getting better value and will be able to stockpile more draft picks to revamp their defense.
Barmore is a massive human being (6’5, 311 pounds) who possesses unreal power and outstanding hand-quickness. Barmore has the ability to be an anchor against the run and rush the passer as well. It is difficult to find a player that possesses his size and versatility, and he’d be an ideal fit in Dan Quin’s 4-3 scheme.
In 2020, Christian Barmore totaled 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 9.5 tackles for loss. He also won Defensive MVP of the National Championship against Ohio State.
Barmore is a stud and would be a homerun selection for the Dallas Cowboys.
Round 2, 42nd Overall
LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
2019 was Chazz Surratt’s first season on the defensive side of the ball after converting from quarterback to linebacker as a redshirt junior. Surratt appeared in all 13 games that season and was a first-team All-ACC selection and was runner-up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Surratt finished with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries.
Chazz Surratt became a more polished linebacker in 2020, refining his coverage drops, pursuit angles, and defensive IQ as he became more familiar with playing the position.
Surratt is 6’3 230 pounds and would give this defense a rover-like linebacker, which is what Dan Quinn would want on his defense.
Surratt will need to continue to develop, but he's one of the most athletic linebackers in this class and has shown that his potential is off the charts.
Round 2, 52nd Overall
S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Trevon Moehrig is a ball-hawking free safety who is at his best when patrolling the middle of the field, which means he’s a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s heavy Cover 3 and Cover 1 scheme. In his 3 years with the Horned Frogs, Moehrig totaled 7 interceptions and 21 pass deflections. In 2020, Moehrig took home the Jim Thorpe award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football.
Trevon Moehrig could act as the Earl Thomas of this defense and would allow Donovan Wilson to play a Kam Chancellor-like role in Dan Quinn’s system.
With Xavier Woods set to become a free-agent, Trevon Moehrig would be an instant upgrade and starter on Dallas’ defense.
Round 3, 74th Overall
CB Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
Jaycee Horn gets all the hype from South Carolina’s secondary, but don’t sleep on Israel Mukuamu.
At 6’4, 205 pounds, Israel Mukuamu is an intriguing prospect. He’s a long and athletic cornerback who possesses solid ball skills and is projected to run in the low 4.4s at the combine.
Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are set to hit free agency, so the Dallas Cowboys will need to replace 2 starters in the secondary and Dan Quinn will value Mukuamu’s physical tools in his system. Mukuamu is the prototype corner in a Cover 3 defense, and he could act as the Richard Sherman opposite of Trevon Diggs.
Round 3, 99th Overall
iDL Alim McNeil, NC State
After having the worst run defense in the NFL last season, the Dallas Cowboys double up on freakishly athletic defensive tackles in this draft.
At 6’2, 315 pounds, Alim McNeil can take on double teams handedly and will clog up running lanes. McNeil, like Christian Barmore, also has the ability to rush the passer because of how strong and explosive he is.
For a big man, McNeil's athleticism is off the charts and will be a matchup nightmare in the trenches.
Alim McNiel has all the traits to play the 1-tech or 3-tech at the next level. There’s no doubt that he’ll wreak havoc on the interior for years to come.
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