Dallas Cowboys: Stock up and stock down after 2021 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys did something in the 2021 NFL Draft that they have never done before — spend its first six picks on the defensive side of the ball. The front office showed that they are aware of how much that side of the ball has to be improved. As a result, we evaluate the […]
The Dallas Cowboys did something in the 2021 NFL Draft that they have never done before — spend its first six picks on the defensive side of the ball. The front office showed that they are aware of how much that side of the ball has to be improved.
As a result, we evaluate the stocks of different members of the Dallas Cowboys immediately following the draft. Whose stock is rising and whose stock is dropping?
Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith are two players that are directly impacted by the Cowboys' draft moves. Dan Quinn had some influence on the draft. Stephen Jones made it clear that there will be roster spots up for grabs.
STOCK UP: TREVON DIGGS
The Dallas Cowboys headed into the 2021 NFL Draft fully expecting to come away with one of Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain II. At least, that is the overwhelming thought. Everybody in the world knew how badly the Cowboys needed to improve its secondary and how much the team liked the top two corners in the class.
Unfortunately, things did not go the way that the Cowboys expected. The Carolina Panthers were rumored to be "in love" with South Carolina's Jaycee Horn. They proved that they were by drafting him eighth overall.
Then, the Denver Broncos passed on quarterback Justin Fields and other positions to grab Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama. Denver signed Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, but the Broncos obviously felt that the 'Bama defender was too good to pass up.
As a result, the Cowboys had to shift its plans and instead traded a couple spots back to select Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Dallas later drafted Kentucky's Kelvin Joseph in round-two and Oregon State's Nahshon Wright in round-three, but this means that Trevon Diggs is likely CB1 in 2021.
Diggs had an up-and-down rookie season filled with inconsistent play, expected rookie struggles, and even an injury. The Cowboys are hoping that Diggs is able to build on the highs of his rookie season and develop into a legitimate CB1 in their defense.
STOCK DOWN: VANDER ESCH AND JAYLON SMITH
As a direct result of the Cowboys missing out on Horn and Surtain, both Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are under the microscope in a big way. Dallas first drafted Micah Parsons in round-one, signaling that the team wanted to upgrade its linebacker corps.
Then, the team went one step further: drafting LSU's Jabril Cox in the fourth-round. Cox is widely regarded as one of the best coverage linebackers in the 2021 class. He starred at North Dakota State before turning in a strong season in Baton Rouge. Cox was seen as a day-two lock, so the Cowboys got incredible value by selecting him with the 115th pick.
Parsons and Cox are too good to keep off the field. Additionally, the two complement each other's play well. Parsons is the lethal pass rusher that creates havoc behind the line of scrimmage, while Cox is impressive in coverage and can cover up some of Parsons' weaknesses in that area.
All of this is to say that LVE and Jaylon Smith are in trouble. Dallas declined Vander Esch's fifth-year option on Monday. The Cowboys also have a way out of Smith's contract next year. The next 12 months will go a long way in shaping up the linebacker room in Dallas.
STOCK UP: DONOVAN WILSON
There was some thought that the Dallas Cowboys would finally spend a premium pick on the safety position. Dan Quinn's influence led to many believe that the Cowboys would grab a safety with one of its first three picks. That, of course, did not happen.
It almost did, though. TCU's Trevon Moehrig was selected just one pick prior to the Cowboys, as the Raiders traded up for the former Horned Frogs star. Many assumed that he would have been the pick had he been on the board at 44. Instead, Dallas grabbed Joseph at corner.
The only potential safety that the Cowboys selected in the draft was South Carolina defensive back Israel Mukuamu. Mukuamu played corner in college, but the Cowboys will reportedly initially try out the 6-foot-4 defender at safety.
The lack of safeties taken in the 2021 draft is a good sign if you are a Donovan Wilson fan. Wilson came on strong towards the end of last season, flashing some impressive potential in the secondary. The A&M product's arrow is pointing up. Expect Wilson to be a real factor for the Cowboys next season.
STOCK DOWN: COWBOYS VETERANS
Along the same lines of LVE and Jaylon Smith, Cowboys veterans have been put on notice. Eight of the Cowboys' 11 draft picks were used on the defense: three defensive backs, three defensive linemen, and two linebackers.
Not every player drafted is going to make the 53-man roster come September, but there will certainly be competition all over the defensive side. From defensive line to secondary, jobs will be up for grabs. Cowboys VP Stephen Jones acknowledged as such following the draft.
Kentucky defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna has an opportunity to push for playing time at the 1-tech. UCLA's Osa Odighizuwa will surely get some meaningful snaps at defensive tackle alongside Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill. Iowa's Chauncey Golston will receive snaps at defensive end.
Parsons, Joseph, and Cox should all see significant playing time as rookies. It is clear that the Cowboys are hoping for as much competition as possible so that the roster as whole becomes cheaper. Expect the young players on the roster to get every chance to beat out the veterans this offseason.
STOCK UP: DAN QUINN
Dan Quinn was regarded as one of the best defensive minds in football while he was at the University of Florida and the Seattle Seahawks. Perhaps most known for the Legion of Boom in Seattle, Quinn knows how to get the best out of his defenses. That is a big reason why he was quickly hired by the Cowboys after failing as a head coach in Atlanta.
Quinn had some important influence on this draft. Most notably, the Cowboys selected the tallest two defensive backs in the class in third-rounder Nahshon Wright and sixth-rounder Israel Mukuamu.
Parsons, Joseph, and Cox provides Quinn with three talented chess pieces to work with. The pressure will be on Quinn to get the most of Parsons, as there are some questions how he will translate to the pass-happy NFL. Perhaps the Penn State product could be used similarly to how Quinn utilized Bruce Irvin in Seattle.
Joseph has some off-the-field maturity concerns, but he has the talent to thrive on the professional level. Cox is an athletic defender that has the ability to step in and play all three downs.
The Cowboys showed its commitment to the defensive side of the ball in this year's draft. Hiring Quinn as defensive coordinator is another sign that the Cowboys are serious about upgrading that side of the ball. Now, Dallas has to execute that.
Featured image Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
