2021 NFL Team Draft Page

Another week, another defender being discussed with this pick for America's Team. As I've stated in the past, Farley should be Plan A for Dallas, but I'm just not sure if he gets past Denver. Still, this secondary was a liability for most of the 2020 campaign, and they are set to watch a group of those starters hit Free Agency. I just don't see how the Cowboys can risk waiting until Day Two to improve this unit, knowing that if they don't have a defender they like at #44, they are likely to suffer deja vu in 2021.


Trading down may become an option here, but if they stay and want to draft a defensive back, the conversation comes down to Horn and Patrick Surtain. Surtain may have the size Dallas is looking for in Dan Quinn's defensive scheme, but I find it hard to draft a corner in the Top 10 that isn't an elite athlete. While Horn doesn't have the size or length of Surtain, there is no questioning his speed or quickness. They could drop back a few picks and grab one of the two, or move down a bit further and go after Safety Trevon Moehrig.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

The guy I think Dallas would really like to get their hands on here would be Central Florida safety, Richie Grant. However, this is likely too low to make that happen, and I wouldn't be shocked if someone moved back into the latter parts of Day One to ensure his services. It's tough to find true single-high safeties with the athleticism and instincts to thrive in that role, but Grant is one of only a few in this draft that I like playing that position.

Instead, I'm going with another Senior Bowl standout in Basham. The versatile defensive lineman is tailor-made for the 4/5-tech end that Dan Quinn has often used in his base defense, and the man they call "Boogie" can rush the passer from anywhere on the defensive front.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst