Dallas Cowboys: 5 DBs worth considering on day 2 of 2021 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys have made a few additions this offseason that will hopefully pay off in improving the secondary. These moves include hiring Dan Quinn and signing the likes of Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Jayron Kearse in free agency. Neal has the flexibility to play linebacker and safety, giving Quinn multiple ways to utilize […]
The Dallas Cowboys have made a few additions this offseason that will hopefully pay off in improving the secondary. These moves include hiring Dan Quinn and signing the likes of Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Jayron Kearse in free agency.
Neal has the flexibility to play linebacker and safety, giving Quinn multiple ways to utilize the 2016 first-round draft pick. Kazee and Kearse are low-cost, low-risk options to pair with Donovan Wilson at safety.
There is still work that needs to be done. Trevon Diggs flashed at times as a rookie, but Dallas cannot solely rely on the rising second-year defender. The Cowboys hold a top-10 draft pick at their disposal but there is no guarantee that the team adds a defensive back with that selection.
Dallas possesses three day-two draft picks: 44th overall (second-round), 75th overall (third), and 99th overall (third). It would be safe to assume that the Cowboys add a defensive back with at least one of its first four draft picks.
FIVE DEFENSIVE BACKS FOR COWBOYS TO CONSIDER ON DAY 2
The Dallas Cowboys have four draft picks in the top-100. It would be smart for the team to address the defensive backfield with at least one of those selections. Here is a list of five different defensive backs that the Cowboys could potentially target in rounds two and three of the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Richie Grant, UCF, safety
Widely considered to be one of the two best safeties in the 2021 draft class, Grant is a player that excelled in the secondary at Central Florida. The 23-year-old possesses a 6-foot, nearly 200-pound frame to go along with impressive ball skills.
The Cowboys have been in search of a true centerfielder, free safety, and Grant would fit that kind of role perfectly. Exceptional coverage ability and a physical style of play, Grant would be a welcome addition to Dan Quinn's defense.
- Trevon Moehrig, safety, TCU
Alongside Grant, TCU's Trevon Moehrig is at the top of several safety rankings heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. The Lone Star native developed into one of the premier defensive backs in all of college football while playing in Fort Worth. That claim was backed up when Moehrig was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award in December.
Moehrig is a true free safety that excelled in multiple roles under Gary Patterson for the Horned Frogs. With seven career interceptions, Moehrig would give the Cowboys a ballhawk in the secondary.
- Ifeatu Melifonwu, cornerback, Syracuse
In a situation where the Cowboys don't add a corner in round-one, Dallas would very likely grab one at 44. Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu would be one of the best options in the early second-round. A long, lengthy defensive back, Melifonwu is an athletic specimen that can match up with a variety of pass catchers.
Melifonwu isn't as technically-refined as somebody like a Patrick Surtain II, but his upside is through the roof. The Syracuse defensive back would give the Cowboys secondary a big, physical player capable of developing into a big-time player. Sound familar?
- Tyson Campbell, cornerback, Georgia
Another option at cornerback on day-two for the Cowboys could be Georgia's Tyson Campbell. The high school teammate of Patrick Surtain II is an athletic defensive back that flashed at times throughout his career in Athens.
Campbell possesses above average size for the cornerback position to go along with impressive speed. Yet, his production in Kirby Smart's defense didn't stack up with some of the other top defensive backs in the class. Campbell would be an intriguing addition opposite of Diggs if he is the pick at 44.
- Ar'Darius Washington, safety, TCU
The second TCU product on this list, Ar'Darius Washington is an undersized defensive back oozing with talent. Washington became a star in Fort Worth for the Horned Frogs. The Louisiana native played well above his size and became a headache for Big 12 offenses during his career.
Washington will likely fall a little bit in the draft due to his size, but he is a legit talent at the safety position. Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. recently worked Washington through drills at TCU's pro day. That could make the TCU defender a potential draft target for Dallas.
Keep an eye on these five defensive backs for the Cowboys in regards to day two of the NFL Draft.
Featured image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
