Cowboys 44th overall pick, not 10th, will define their 2021 Draft's success
The NFL Draft is always exciting. But there's something even more special about waiting for the Draft when you own a Top 10 draft pick. The possibilities feel endless as chances of getting one of the best prospects in the class are on your side. However, it can often be misleading for fans and the […]
The NFL Draft is always exciting. But there's something even more special about waiting for the Draft when you own a Top 10 draft pick. The possibilities feel endless as chances of getting one of the best prospects in the class are on your side. However, it can often be misleading for fans and the team alike. As the Dallas Cowboys get ready to pick at #10 on April 29th, it might be time to realize that the 44th overall pick could be the one that truly defines the Cowboys' success in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Of course, I don't mean to tell you the Cowboys will get a better player in the second round. But the thing is, the Cowboys are likely to find "their guy" at #10. Before they're on the clock, at least four quarterbacks are expected to be off the board, if not five, which will directly benefit the Cowboys as top defensive prospects slide down the board.
Many mock drafts, including mine, have Patrick Surtain II going to the Cowboys at #10. The Alabama cornerback has a couple of potential landing spots prior to Dallas' pick, but him being available when the Cowboys are on the clock seems feasible. The Carolina Panthers could be looking to add some protection for recently acquired Sam Darnold and the Denver Broncos might be in the quarterback market.
And even if Surtain's off the board, chances are the Cowboys will get another top prospect like CB Jaycee Horn or even OT Rashawn Slater.
But even though they'll likely end up with a good pick in the first round, it'll be the second round that defines' the Cowboys success in this Draft class.
In 2020, the Cowboys got Trevon Diggs in the second round, a player they reportedly would've considered in the first round. Despite missing some games and making a few rookie mistakes, Diggs was one of the most positive takeaways from last season. In his second campaign in the NFL, he's expected to become the team's #1 cornerback.
At 44th, only twelve picks into the second round, the Dallas Cowboys are bound to find a quality defensive prospect. Or maybe their offensive tackle of the future. Judging by The Athletic's Dane Brugler's 2021 Draft Guide, this Draft's depth on defense is one of the best in recent years.
"Brugler has 12 cornerbacks, 10 edge rushers, six linebackers, five defensive tackles, and three safeties graded as first- or second-round picks."
At cornerback, Brugler has graded six cornerbacks with a pure second-round draft pick plus another two with a "2nd-3rd round" grade. Asante Samuel Jr., Elijah Molden, Kelvin Joseph, Eric Stokes, among others should be in play near the Cowboys' 44th overall pick. Double-dipping at CB in the first two rounds should definitely be a possibility for Dallas.
On his Top 100 Draft Board, Brugler has three linebackers and four edge rushers between his #26 and #44 ranking.
Although you never know how the NFL Draft will turn out, it all points toward the Cowboys being in a favorable position both at #10 in the first and at #44 in the second round. If they manage to walk away from this year's Draft with two starters on defense, anything else they can find in their following eight picks will be icing on the cake.
Featured image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
