10 Things I Think, I Think, About the 2021 Draft & The Cowboys

[Frosty]

TEN THINGS I THINK I THINK ABOUT THE 2021 DRAFT AND THE COWBOYS

1. At Pick 10, the Cowboys need a play maker. Patrick Surtain, P. Sewell or Pitts. (Slater Arms are too short for LT, best suited for OG or RT)

2. If no play maker is on the board at pick 10, trade back to 11-15 for Horn

3. If Horn is not available, trade deeper in the draft 15-20 for LT or LBer (target Christian Darrisaw, Teven Jenkins or Zach Collins)

4. Stay away from Injury Prone players in the 1st round, IE CB: Greg Newsome & Caleb Farley

5. Round 2, look for DT (C. Barmore) or Safety (Grant) but if Najee Harris or Travis Etienne are on the board, I pull the trigger and put Zeke on notice

6. Round 3 take the best CB, S, DT or OT on the board…no JAG/Role players

7. Chances are no-one beyond round round 4 will make the starting lineup (practice squad players)

8. No More role players…..the defense needs play makers

9. Stay focused on protecting DAK

10. I have more faith in Will McLay drafting offense then defensive players

Bonus: Don’t forget how BAD the Cowboys were last year….they need PLAYMAKERS not
role players

 

[Risen Star]

I have a feeling Will McLay is going to draft Zach Collins.

 

[JoeKing]

Good list!.. I think.

 

[JBS]

I have a feeling Will McLay is going to draft Zach Collins.

Adding him to my list right now over at pick the Cowboys draft...you done messed up giving me a freebie

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

TEN THINGS I THINK I THINK ABOUT THE 2021 DRAFT AND THE COWBOYS

1. At Pick 10, the Cowboys need a play maker. Patrick Surtain, P. Sewell or Pitts. (Slater Arms are too short for LT, best suited for OG or RT)

2. If no play maker is on the board at pick 10, trade back to 11-15 for Horn

3. If Horn is not available, trade deeper in the draft 15-20 for LT or LBer (target Christian Darrisaw, Teven Jenkins or Zach Collins)

4. Stay away from Injury Prone players in the 1st round, IE CB: Greg Newsome & Caleb Farley

5. Round 2, look for DT (C. Barmore) or Safety (Grant) but if Najee Harris or Travis Etienne are on the board, I pull the trigger and put Zeke on notice

6. Round 3 take the best CB, S, DT or OT on the board…no JAG/Role players

7. Chances are no-one beyond round round 4 will make the starting lineup (practice squad players)

8. No More role players…..the defense needs play makers

9. Stay focused on protecting DAK

10. I have more faith in Will McLay drafting offense then defensive players

Bonus: Don’t forget how BAD the Cowboys were last year….they need PLAYMAKERS not
role players

Meh.

At one you say get a playmaker....at 9 you say stay focused on protecting Zak. Slater does just that....or Sewell if somehow he slips.

Surtain had 4 interceptions in 3 years...not exactly a proven playmaker.

The more you trade back, the less likely you are to get a "playmaker" and it is a slippery slope. Trade back for Horn...and he could be gone. Trade back and take so and so....but maybe he isn't there either. So you reach like we have done so many times.

Agree no injury prone players in Rd 1, but....a RB? Are you out of your mind? We have Zeke and Pollard. Nobody we draft is going to be any better than those two. Would be 100% wasted pick. If we release Zeke next year, then use a 2nd or 3rd on a RB then. The heck with overpriced RBs when mid rounders can do the job.

You say no one past round 3 will do anything, then say to get playmakers. Uh, in the later rounds you generally get role players and special teams guys. Are you new to this football thing?

You may be right on McClay, we have done a better job on that side, but I think there is somewhat of a disconnect between scouting and coaches/GM. We have heard that before that Jerry often steers the pick in a certain direction regardless of how the scout's board looks. In the past we feel pretty confident that asst coaches are making pushes for particular guys as their pet cats and it hasn't really worked out. Stick to the board and our needs and don't try to show that you are smarter than everyone else.

 

[Frosty]

Meh.

At one you say get a playmaker....at 9 you say stay focused on protecting Zak. Slater does just that....or Sewell if somehow he slips.

Surtain had 4 interceptions in 3 years...not exactly a proven playmaker.

The more you trade back, the less likely you are to get a "playmaker" and it is a slippery slope. Trade back for Horn...and he could be gone. Trade back and take so and so....but maybe he isn't there either. So you reach like we have done so many times.

Agree no injury prone players in Rd 1, but....a RB? Are you out of your mind? We have Zeke and Pollard. Nobody we draft is going to be any better than those two. Would be 100% wasted pick. If we release Zeke next year, then use a 2nd or 3rd on a RB then. The heck with overpriced RBs when mid rounders can do the job.

You say no one past round 3 will do anything, then say to get playmakers. Uh, in the later rounds you generally get role players and special teams guys. Are you new to this football thing?

You may be right on McClay, we have done a better job on that side, but I think there is somewhat of a disconnect between scouting and coaches/GM. We have heard that before that Jerry often steers the pick in a certain direction regardless of how the scout's board looks. In the past we feel pretty confident that asst coaches are making pushes for particular guys as their pet cats and it hasn't really worked out. Stick to the board and our needs and don't try to show that you are smarter than everyone else.

At one you say get a playmaker....at 9 you say stay focused on protecting Zak. Slater does just that....or Sewell if somehow he slips.h

Dont think Slater can be a LT or replace T. Smith....most likely OG or replace Collins at RT.

Surtain had 4 interceptions in 3 years...not exactly a proven playmaker.

Surtain is arguably the best CB in the draft.... not a proven NFL commodity yet...but has the pedigree and the most likely to make the ProBowl

The more you trade back, the less likely you are to get a "playmaker" and it is a slippery slope. Trade back for Horn...and he could be gone. Trade back and take so and so....but maybe he isn't there either. So you reach like we have done so many times.

Personally, I stay put at pick #10 but if a SPECIAL trade comes available.....I may be interested

Agree no injury prone players in Rd 1, but....a RB? Are you out of your mind? We have Zeke and Pollard. Nobody we draft is going to be any better than those two. Would be 100% wasted pick. If we release Zeke next year, then use a 2nd or 3rd on a RB then. The heck with overpriced RBs when mid rounders can do the job.

Im not a fan of ZEKE....taking Najee Harris or T. Eitene helps the run game... which slows the game down and helps keeps the defense off the field....The Cowboys were best when the controlled the time of possession. Love Najee Harris...teaming him up with Zeke lights the fire under Zeke and then the Cowboys can release Zeke next year. Have a plan at RB

You say no one past round 3 will do anything, then say to get playmakers. Uh, in the later rounds you generally get role players and special teams guys. Are you new to this football thing?

It is a 53 man roster, everyone cant make the team.....most day 3 picks end up on the practice squad.

CB Reggie Robinson - did touch the field in 2020. Brandon Anae maybe watched a game or 2, Ben DiNucci is a hot mess and only played because there was no one let to play.

You may be right on McClay, we have done a better job on that side, but I think there is somewhat of a disconnect between scouting and coaches/GM. We have heard that before that Jerry often steers the pick in a certain direction regardless of how the scout's board looks. In the past we feel pretty confident that asst coaches are making pushes for particular guys as their pet cats and it hasn't really worked out. Stick to the board and our needs and don't try to show that you are smarter than everyone else

 

[DFWJC]

• You trade UP to get a particular player
• You trade down to target any of a group of players all graded in the same tier.

 

[VACowboy]

Pitts, Owusu-Keramoah, Phillips, Moehrig. THOSE are playmakers.

 

[RS12]

I have a feeling Will McLay is going to draft Zach Collins.

If he doesn't Jerry will.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Any OL we draft probably won't start at OT...but if Slater or Sewell gets plugged in at guard I feel a whole lot better about Dak's protection. Face it, Williams is average at best and gets ragdolled at least a time or two every game. IT isn't that he just gets beat from time to time....he gets demolished and isn't even a road bump.

Surtain might be the most pro ready...but that doesn't mean he will be the best pro. I think Horn has infinitely more upside and despite not making a ton of interceptions he gets his hands on a ton of balls. So I think he has the skill to make plays....just needs works on his hands.

You say day three picks are basically a waste of time...so instead of trading down in the early rounds.....let's package the last picks to move up higher into the 3rd with our two picks or into the 3rd from the 4th. Of course, last year....every pick made the team...not the practice squad. And the years prior there are at least one or two 4th round picks or later that make the team. When you are spending the money you are on guys like Dak, Zeke, Tank, Cooper, et al, you have to keep drafted and undrafted FA on the team to balance the cap.

I get not liking Zeke, but the dude is among the top few in the league in yards and TDs during his time in the league, and that is with an OL that has slipped a lot the last two years. We were using 3rd string OL and a backup QB last year. You think teams game planned to stop the run and make Dalton beat us? I do.

 

[conner01]

TEN THINGS I THINK I THINK ABOUT THE 2021 DRAFT AND THE COWBOYS

1. At Pick 10, the Cowboys need a play maker. Patrick Surtain, P. Sewell or Pitts. (Slater Arms are too short for LT, best suited for OG or RT)

2. If no play maker is on the board at pick 10, trade back to 11-15 for Horn

3. If Horn is not available, trade deeper in the draft 15-20 for LT or LBer (target Christian Darrisaw, Teven Jenkins or Zach Collins)

4. Stay away from Injury Prone players in the 1st round, IE CB: Greg Newsome & Caleb Farley

5. Round 2, look for DT (C. Barmore) or Safety (Grant) but if Najee Harris or Travis Etienne are on the board, I pull the trigger and put Zeke on notice

6. Round 3 take the best CB, S, DT or OT on the board…no JAG/Role players

7. Chances are no-one beyond round round 4 will make the starting lineup (practice squad players)

8. No More role players…..the defense needs play makers

9. Stay focused on protecting DAK

10. I have more faith in Will McLay drafting offense then defensive players

Bonus: Don’t forget how BAD the Cowboys were last year….they need PLAYMAKERS not
role players

I would add LB to possibilities in round two
I agree on the lack of possibilities after round 4 and certainly 10 guys aren’t making this team
I’d package this late picks, maybe even a future pick not in the first, to add another second
3 picks in the top 50 would really help this team a bunch

 

[conner01]

Any OL we draft probably won't start at OT...but if Slater or Sewell gets plugged in at guard I feel a whole lot better about Dak's protection. Face it, Williams is average at best and gets ragdolled at least a time or two every game. IT isn't that he just gets beat from time to time....he gets demolished and isn't even a road bump.

Surtain might be the most pro ready...but that doesn't mean he will be the best pro. I think Horn has infinitely more upside and despite not making a ton of interceptions he gets his hands on a ton of balls. So I think he has the skill to make plays....just needs works on his hands.

You say day three picks are basically a waste of time...so instead of trading down in the early rounds.....let's package the last picks to move up higher into the 3rd with our two picks or into the 3rd from the 4th. Of course, last year....every pick made the team...not the practice squad. And the years prior there are at least one or two 4th round picks or later that make the team. When you are spending the money you are on guys like Dak, Zeke, Tank, Cooper, et al, you have to keep drafted and undrafted FA on the team to balance the cap.

I get not liking Zeke, but the dude is among the top few in the league in yards and TDs during his time in the league, and that is with an OL that has slipped a lot the last two years. We were using 3rd string OL and a backup QB last year. You think teams game planned to stop the run and make Dalton beat us? I do.

Good points
I love the idea of trading late picks to get back up in the meat of the draft
We need talent, not warm bodies
I’d look at late picks and even a future pick not in the first to try and get another second
If it was me and I got a Sewell I’d plug him at RT and move Collins back to guard
Collins has experience and was really good at run blocking. The time at tackle may even help him be better at pass blocking
I’m convinced we promised Collins a shot at tackle so he could get the payday he could have got from being drafted where his talent said he should be
But now he’s paid so I don’t see an issue now

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I truly believe the Cowboys are hoping Sewell slides to ten. He's the long-term replacement for Tyron Smith. They can play him at RT as a rookie and kick La'el Collins back inside to guard temporarily.

If Sewell is gone they're trading down. I don't know how the points system works for draft choices, but if they drop down to the Bears' spot at 20 I believe they can get Chicago's second round pick and perhaps a 2022 choice as well.

Then if they want to get really creative, they can exploit the fact they'll have two 2nds and two 3rds and possibly trade back up to end up with two 1sts as well. Take a defender at any position (they need help everywhere) and an offensive tackle and I'll consider it a success.

 

[big dog cowboy]

5. Round 2, look for DT (C. Barmore) or Safety (Grant) but if Najee Harris or Travis Etienne are on the board, I pull the trigger and put Zeke on notice

There is no way the Cowboys are going RB in round 2.

Good grief.

You don't need to put Zeke on notice. You need a healthy OL to block for him.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

With the money invested in both Dak and Zeke, the Cowboys need to address the offensive line sometime in the first three rounds of the draft. I don't care when- if they get Sewell next week, I'd be very happy.

I'm all for going defense the rest of the draft; though I'm kind of hoping Dan Quinn can work wonders with what we already have. So many players fell off a cliff performance wise in 2020 it almost HAD to be Mike Nolan's scheme.

 

[Frosty]

There is no way the Cowboys are going RB in round 2.

Good grief.

You don't need to put Zeke on notice. You need a healthy OL to block for him.

Zeke has lost a step an his explosiveness he had as a rookie. Now he cost to much and is dependent on all pro OL to be successful. RB have a shelf life of 3-4 years. Time to find his replacement. I’m taking Najee Harris all day and everyday if he is there in round 2. Cowboys are best when they run the ball and control the clock. And Zeke can’t do that anymore.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I would add LB to possibilities in round two
I agree on the lack of possibilities after round 4 and certainly 10 guys aren’t making this team
I’d package this late picks, maybe even a future pick not in the first, to add another second
3 picks in the top 50 would really help this team a bunch

Not so sure there wont be 10 new guys on the team from the draft and UDFA. I would be open to moving down some from 10 in the right circumstance, but not too far down...but then moving back up....

Trading back to around 15 gets us a 3rd rounder in the top half at minimum. So that would give us a first rounder in the top half, a 2nd rounder in the top half, 2 3rd rounders in the top half, a 4th rounder in the top half and one in the back, a 5th, two 6ths and a 7th.

Combining our first 3rd and our first 4th gets us up into the back of the 2nd round. Combining the 3rd we get in the first trade down with our second 4th should get us into the top of the 3rd. So we could have a mid first rounder, our early 2nd rounder, a late second rounder and a top half of the third. Combine everything else to get back into the top of the 5th.

That should give us 4 guys that are potential starters and one depth guy. Use UDFA's for depth and practice squad type developmental guys.

 

[buybuydandavis]

6. Round 3 take the best CB, S, DT or OT on the board…no JAG/Role players

Bonus: Don’t forget how BAD the Cowboys were last year….they need PLAYMAKERS not
role players

If we had been willing to take role players, we would have drafted Watt as a pass rush DE instead of drafting Taco as a massive bust.

The NFL is about personnel matchups and schemes. Role players are great to have. Scandrick was fantastic in stopping small, fast WRs.

 

[Bullflop]

Horn is more likely to be a playmaker than Surtain but that's okay -- Horn has been too handsy, anyway. Will he eventually learn to avoid that? Hopefully, he should but there are no guarantees. Whomever we might get between those two, it'd be an improvement over what we had last year.

 

[DogFace]

Let’s make number 4(on injury prone players)on the list number 1.

Overall a very good list.