The Dallas Cowboys needed to revamp their defense going into the 2021 season. They used the NFL draft as a launching point and made their first six selections on the defensive side of the ball.

Dallas took eight defensive players total and sprinkled in some offensive line and wide receiver depth as well. Not all of their 11 selections made big contributions. However, when Nick Shook of NFL.com give out grades for the rookie classes of the NFC East, the Cowboys scored an A+ for the 2021 season.

Round 1, No. 12: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State

"Dallas hit a 450-foot home run with its selection of Parsons, going best player available over clear need at 12th overall and reaping the rewards. Parsons won Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, completing a trifecta that has him entrenched as a key defensive star for years to come. Most of Dallas' positive grade is built on the massive success of the Parsons pick, as it's more of a "B" class without the star linebacker."

Parsons met and exceeded all expectations that were placed upon him during his rookie season. The former Penn State Nittany Lion racked up 84 tackles (20 tackles for loss), 13 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and three passes defended.

After just 2.5 sacks in the first seven games, Parsons dominated the final two fill months of the season by registering 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. He recorded a sack in seven of those eight games which included a six-game streak from Week 9 to Week 14.

What makes Parsons season even more impressive is that he played with a hyperextended knee that he suffered during a joint training camp practice with the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. That didn't stop Parsons from lining up at four different positions (linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, safety) and spearheading a Cowboys' defense that led the NFL in turnovers and stopping opposing offenses on third down.

Round 2, No. 44: Kelvin Joseph, Cornerback, Kentucky

"Joseph spent most of his rookie season on special teams before stepping into a defensive role, performing well in limited snaps late in the season."

Joseph went a 10-day quarantine for COVID during OTAs which derailed his progress. However, once training camp started in Oxnard, Joseph showed his versatility as he got work on the outside with Diggs and in the slot going against wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Unfortunately, Joseph suffered a groin injury before the end of the preseason and was placed on injured reserve.

He didn't make his NFL debut until Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, but only logged two defensive snaps. After only amassing 14 defensive snaps in his first seven games, Joseph got his first start in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders, and he made it count. He played 57 snaps and registered three tackles and a pass breakup while allowing minus two yards on five targets in the Cowboys’ 56-14 victory.

Joseph played all of the Cowboys' 74 defensive snaps in their season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. He tallied nine tackles (seven solo tackles) and nearly got his first career interception. It's a short sample size but it's obvious the potential that Joseph brings as the possible No. 2 cornerback of the future in Dallas.

Round 3, No. 75: Osa Odighizuwa, Defensive Tackle, UCLA

"Odighizuwa played in all but one game, recording two sacks and 36 tackles (six for loss). His defensive snap counts tailed off as the season wore on, and he didn't draw a strong Pro Football Focus grade, but he did produce an optimistic outlook."

Odighizuwa had his best stretch of this season during the first month. After two tackles and two quarterback hits in a Week 2 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Odighizuwa compiled seven tackles, 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits over the next two games.

He registered 36 tackles (six tackles for loss), two sacks, and 11 quarterback hits in 2021. Although he didn't record another sack after Week 4, his quick burst off the line of scrimmage and power made him a force to be reckoned with as he got in the backfield against the run and the pass.

If Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill can stay healthy in 2022, a more experienced Odighizuwa playing alongside them can give the Cowboys a formidable interior defensive line.

Defensive end Chauncey Golston was the team's second pick in the third round. A hamstring injury sidelined him during training camp and kept him out of the first two regular season games. However, he got some good experience as a rotational pass rusher by logging 414 snaps.

Golston amassed 32 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and four quarterback hits as a rookie. With health of his side and a possible bigger role in 2022 depending on what the Cowboys do at defensive end in free agency and the draft, Golston could have a bigger impact soon.

Cornerback Nahshon Wright was the third and final third-round selection for the Cowboys. Wright appeared in 13 games but he mainly contributed on special teams with 255 snaps (only registered 91 snaps on defense). He's in the developmental stage right now so he'll look to make more noise this upcoming season.

Linebacker Jabril Cox has to be the most intriguing of the Cowboys' draft picks from a year ago. Cox was seen as one of the best coverage linebackers entering the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, Cox didn’t allow a single touchdown nor was he penalized in 352 coverage snaps in 2020 at LSU. In 1,114 coverage snaps during his college career (North Dakota State, LSU), Cox only allowed two touchdowns and recorded eight interceptions.

Cox had bad luck on the injury front during his rookie campaign though. He suffered a torn ACL against the Vikings. The encouraging thing is the timing of Cox's injury. It happened in late October so he should be ready to go for the start of the 2022 season. Dallas has a bare cupboard at linebacker with several heading for free agency in March so the rehab and development of Cox will be essential.

Of the Cowboys' other five draft picks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna was the only one that had any kind of significant playing time with his 223 defensive snaps.  Isreal Mukuamu, who played cornerback and safety at South Carolina, only appeared in four games and played 78 total snaps (20 on defense, 58 on special teams). Simi Fehoko had a difficult time navigating through a crowded wide receiver room.

Guard Matt Farniok played just 23 snaps on offense and tackle Josh Ball suffered an ankle injury in September which cost him his entire rookie season.

The Cowboys got some promising talent in the 2021 draft, and with their recent history, they will probably repeat that in Las Vegas in April.

You can check out Shook's full post, here.

Feature image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports