The NFL season has a very different look to it in 2020, so there is no harm in looking ahead in attempts to picture the NFL back in its normal state. DraftWire has given a glimpse of what 2021 could look like in April for the upcoming draft.
In most mock drafts around the internet, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence seems to be the consensus pick to land the top spot in which DraftWire has predicted the Washington Football Team to be in. As for the Dallas Cowboys, will they be looking to bring in their own quarterback at some point in draft weekend? For several years the Cowboys have neglected needs at the tight end and safety position, but in the mock world, their greatest deficiencies are given priority.
The Cowboys are slotted in the No. 27 spot in this mock, indicating Draft Wire has them as a playoff team but once again falling short of a championship game.
Round 1, Pick 27: Pat Freiermuth | TE | Penn State
The Cowboys enter 2020 with a newly re-signed Blake Jarwin to be their starting tight end for the upcoming season. Behind Jarwin, the team has Blake Bell, signed as a free agent after leaving the world champion Kansas City Chiefs, and Dalton Shultz who has yet to come into his own when it comes to the stat sheet. By drafting Freiermuth this either shows that the Cowboys are not convinced Jarwin is the long term answer, or, the depth behind Jarwin just isn’t living up to any expectations they had. Either way, spending the No. 27 pick on more offense is a key hint that the Cowboys may still be missing one more piece.
The 6-foot-5 tight end has draft comparisons to Rob Gronkowski.
Round 2, Pick 59: Hamsah Nasirildeen | S | Florida State
After years of Cowboys Nation calling for a splash in the draft to address the safety position, they finally do in the mock world. Taking Nasirildeen indicates that there’s once again a void to be filled at safety. Xavier Woods is on a contract year which means he’s going to have to really earn his first large pay day. The Cowboys also only signed Ha Ha Clinton Dix to a one-year contract as well. There may be a serious youth movement here with this pick and it comes from Florida State.
Nasirildeen is an exciting hybrid safety-linebacker who stands an intimidating 6-foot-4. He suffered an ACL injury late in the season though, so his 2020 might be spent trying to get his body back up to full speed, which may sink his draft stock a bit.
Round 3, Pick 91: JT Daniels, QB, Georgia
This pick will raise some eyebrows for Cowboys fans. Third-round picks are big value picks and the Cowboys use it on a quarterback. There is no secret Dak Prescott’s contract will be the talk of the 2021 offseason after playing under the franchise tag. If the team decides to use the tag on Prescott again in 2021 and then decide to draft Daniels out of Georgia in Round 3, expect the Cowboys internet to completely explode. Using a seventh rounder for Ben DiNucci didn’t sound the alarms for fans and media around the team, but using a third the following year is an indication the marriage is on thin ice.
As evidenced by the picture used, Daniels is a transfer product from USC. He’ll compete to be a starter with former Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman. In 2018 with the Trojans e threw for 2,887 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while completing 60.7% of his throws. Injured in the season opener, he lost his job permanently to then-freshman Kedon Slovis.
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