News: BTB: Dallas Cowboys 2021 mock draft: Full seven-rounds with defensive and offensive help

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Cross your fingers, this would be fantastic.

Ever wonder what it would be like to nail back-to-back drafts? Well, after hitting a home run in the 2020 NFL Draft, this haul here would give the Dallas Cowboys consecutive home run derby titles. While we’re still a ways away from the draft, and things can change, but this full seven-round mock draft gives us a realistic and exciting haul for the Cowboys here.

Let’s dive in.

Round 1, 10th Overall

Caleb Farley | CB | Virginia Tech | RS Junior | 6’2” 197lbs

Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As it stands today, there’s no player I would prefer more with the 10th overall pick than Virginia Tech’s own Caleb Farley. Yes, that includes Penei Sewell, any of the big-three wide receivers, and the dynamic offensive weapon in Kyle Pitts. With Farley coming in at #8 on my big board, the Cowboys would getting the top cornerback in the draft, with his best football still ahead of him. Farley possesses the ideal length, athleticism, ball skills, and coverage skills to succeed in any scheme, but fits perfectly in Dan Quinn’s new Cover 1/3 system. Farley has some injury concerns entering the draft, but if medicals check out, grabbing a corner with elite traits, who is still continuing to develop is an ideal scenario for the Cowboys, who will be needing to completely revamp their secondary this offseason. Farley may be considered a “project” by some, but the tape is extremely exciting, and so is the ceiling of the former Hokie.

Another look at Caleb Farley. Bottom of the screen playing press-man. In phase with the receiver and once the WR turns his head he knows to look back for the ball.

*chefs kiss* pic.twitter.com/GsZqJkS7mP

— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) February 6, 2021​

Round 2, 44th Overall

Azeez Ojulari | EDGE | Georgia | RS Sophomore | 6’3” 245lbs

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

As we just witnessed in the Super Bowl, pass rush can completely change things for opposing offenses. Azeez Ojulari has the ability to do just that, and that’s exactly what he did down the stretch for the Georgia Bulldogs. Ojulari, only a red-shirt sophomore, is just scratching the surface with what he’ll be three to four years from now. With DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory being the only sure-thing at defensive end for the Cowboys heading into 2021, that position is one that is somewhat of a sneaky need heading into the offseason, and Ojulari could be a big boost. He developed his hand-technique throughout his year at Georgia, and it really took his pass-rush ability to the next level. Ojulari is overall a pretty impressive athlete showcasing fluid hips, and lower-body flexibility to be able to run the arch with ease. Ojulari is also a very good run defender for his size and age, and should continue to develop in that area as he develops physically and mentally.

Ojulari strip sack! Fantastic hand work pic.twitter.com/BzolkylIEM

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 1, 2021​

Round 2, 60th Overall * TRADE *

Richie Grant | FS | UCF | RS Senior | 6’0” 194lbs

Photo by Conor Kvatek/Collegiate Images/Getty Images

So far, Dan Quinn’s new defense is batting a thousand. With Farley and Ojulari being perfect fits for Dan Quinn’s new defensive system, we may as well continue the trend with another match made in heaven as UCF’s Richie Grant stuck around long enough to entice an important, yet small, trade-up. In order to grab Richie Grant at 60th overall, we had to give up the 74th and 188th overall pick to move up 14 spots. There’s not a human being on the planet that should be upset with that as it netted an extremely rangy, athletic, and physical free safety, who can shore things up on the backend for the Cowboys defense. Grant possesses the ideal range to cover sideline-to-sideline, has the physicality to step up and defend the run, and was very successful in taking the football away at UCF, as well as being a very fluid cover defender at the free safety spot. There probably isn’t a player who has rose up draft boards as much as Grant this season, and after dominating the Senior Bowl, there’s plenty of talk about Grant going in the top 50 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Richie Grant has the hips to play on the backend - watch him flip/drive on these two plays

Impressive tape in 2018 pic.twitter.com/siDQBBXZTq

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 29, 2021​

Round 3, 99th Overall

Marvin Wilson | iDL | Florida State | Senior | 6’3” 319lbs

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Marvin Wilson’s career arch has been one that’s really be tough to follow. This time last year, Wilson was a lock top 20 pick and was looking to break into the top 15 with a big year at Florida State. In 2020, he put out some really bad tape, and that left the league souring on the former five-star recruit. While the defensive tackle position needs to be upgraded by the Cowboys this offseason, turning to the free agency pool to find an upgrade at the position is a possibility, but with Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore as the only other quality options at defensive tackle, adding more young talent should also be in the cards for the Cowboys. Wilson has the size, length, and athletic traits to be a force in the middle of a defense for a long time, but his lack of overall technique, steep drop-off in 2020, and a potential knee injury could have him fall all the way to 99th overall. At the point, the risk is worth the reward at a potential first-round talent, that had a down year in 2020.

Marvin Wilson tossing the #Jets first round pick like a rag doll >> pic.twitter.com/MiIglFfRLO

— Jared Feinberg (@JrodDraftScout) July 28, 2020​

Round 4, 114th Overall

Tony Fields | LB | West Virginia | Senior | 6’1” 222lbs

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In today’s NFL, at the linebacker position, you have to be able to cover, blitz, and play with speed. Tony Fields II fits all of those to a “t”. While Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith will more than likely get every opportunity to see major playing time in 2021, adding a linebacker that has the talent to push them would be wise. Fields fits in perfectly as a WILL linebacker that plays with tremendous instincts, athleticism, and physicality for his size. All of the things Fields II had success at, at Arizona and West Virginia, are things the linebacking corps for the Cowboys needs in a young player. While drafting linebackers inside the top 50 would be a mistake, the 114th overall pick would make perfect sense for a developmental prospect that can make a contributing impact on defense and special teams right away.

Studying 2019 tape of LB Tony Fields II while at Arizona (now with WVU & heading to @seniorbowl)

This is one of the most underrated/under-hyped players in the country

Fiesty 6’1 220lb MLB, SL/SL Speed, Secure Tackler, Crushes RB on blitzes, can QB spy, & tough tough tough!! pic.twitter.com/IaCIiuS1ou

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 28, 2020​

Round 4, 139th Overall

James Wiggins | DS | Cincinnati | RS Senior | 6’0” 205lbs

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

A common theme for this 2021 mock draft so far is adding speed and athleticism to the Cowboys defense. James Wiggins is just that. After a somewhat down year in 2020 (due to injury), Wiggins had some of the most exciting tape out of all the safety prospects in 2018, and was slated to have a big year in 2019 before tearing his ACL in practice and missing the entire 2019 season. While injuries have shortened Wiggins playing time at Cincinnati, the former Bearcat has some really intriguing traits, and is one of the freakier athletes in the country at the safety position. Wiggins has the ability to play both free and strong safety, but also has the coverage skills to play as a big-nickel, and even the physicality to play in a hybrid-linebacker role. Wiggins is a chess piece that Quinn could use in multiple roles, and alignments, and his ability to cover, while also being good against the run would allow him to play a pivotal part on the Dallas defense.

Cincinnati DB James Wiggins is one of my favorite players in this class.

• 6’0” 205lbs
• Explosive athlete (Feldmans’s Freak List three years in a row)
• Versatile DB that can cover and hit
• Excels in both man & zone
• impressive click & close
• medicals will be big pic.twitter.com/7SOCP3ynvP

— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 13, 2021​

Round 5, 177th Overall

D’Ante Smith | OT | East Carolina | Senior | 6’5” 294lbs

Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images

One of my favorite day three tackle prospects is East Carolina’s D’Ante Smith. Possessing ideal height and length, Smith has the making to develop into a quality left tackle in the NFL. On day three of the draft, you’re really drafting on great traits or good tape of players that lacked ideal traits. Smith would fall under the “great traits” label as his 2019 tape was solid, but the lack of tape in 2020, playing weight, and undisclosed injury will have many scouts asking a lot of questions this offseason. They got some very good answers at the Senior Bowl as Smith was one of the most impressive lineman there, dominating both at tackle and guard in practices and the game. Smith’s size, length, and athleticism will give him the versatility to play both guard or tackle at the next level, and that ability and versatility is very intriguing to the Cowboys coaching staff who saw their offensive line change a ton in 2020.

ECU’s D’Ante Smith has made some big time money this week. Those feet keep moving decisively, good knee bend, shewwwww pic.twitter.com/SZAdpsUx7m

— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) January 28, 2021​

Round 6, 222nd Overall

Jaelon Darden | WR | North Texas | Senior | 5’9” 170lbs

Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Electric is the best word used to describe Jaelon Darden. Listed at 5’9” 170lbs, Darden lacks the ideal size to play out on the boundary at receiver, but he can find a role as slot receiver, who plays a role in the running game, jet-sweep game, and reverse game as well. While he doesn’t match the ability of Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle, it’s fair to view Darden as a off-brand version of the likely top 15 pick. Darden is also a very high-level return man for the North Texas Mean Green, and could be used in that role in Dallas as well. Darden’s speed, elusiveness, and big-play ability is a treat to watch, but questions regarding his size, and ability to beat press coverage will likely push him down the board further than his tape would suggest. As a massive fan of electric play-makers at the wide receiver position, keeping a Texas native in Texas, should be a draft day goal for Dallas.

North Texas WR Jaelon Darden is one of my favorite weapons to watch in the 2021 draft.

He’s quick as lighting and refined as a route runner—reminds me a lot of Darnell Mooney coming out. He also has an INSANE 19 TDs in just 9 games this year. He’s legit. pic.twitter.com/nKSGM2PhXd

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 12, 2020​

Round 7, 234th Overall

Jordon Scott | iDL | Oregon | Senior | 6’1” 325lbs

Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There is nothing more that I want than for the Cowboys to draft Jordon Scott in the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s not very often you fall in love with an extremely short, but massive, defensive lineman wearing number 34, but boy did we find him. Jordon Scott is so much fun to watch due to his high-motor, boulder-like presence, and violence he packs in his punch. While he will only be a two-down player in the NFL, those two downs are something the Cowboys have been a mess at for some time. Scott’s natural ability to eat up space, hold blockers in gaps, and makes plays in his gap was very impressive. While he does need to clean up his pad-level, and learn to use his length (it’s not much!!!) better, Scott can play a role for the Cowboys as a space-eating, 1-tech on early downs and goal-line situations, and do so at a high-level. For a big man, Scott has quick hands, and an impressive get-off, but he does lack any sort of really lateral agility and change of direction skills, which are the main reasons he would be available this late.

Oregon NT Jordon Scott actually stacks and sheds blocks at 6’1 330!!

Not just plugging blockers and keeping LBs free - Scott is out there making his own plays!

One of those tapes that’s just fun to watch.. Dancing panda as some would say pic.twitter.com/sq53mmYd5r

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 13, 2019​

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