PFF 3-round mock nets Cowboys 3 defenders, TE

PFF’s NFC East three round mock draft lands the Cowboys four talented players.

There are just 24 days left until the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock for the 2021 NFL Draft and mock draft season is in full-swing. While the unpredictable nature of the draft can render even the most tuned-in mock draft meaningless, it’s always an interesting exercise to analyze possible draft picks for Dallas. At this point in the offseason, the Cowboys needs heading into the draft are pretty clear; In no particular order, cornerback, safety, linebacker, defensive line and offensive line are all positions Dallas could address in the upcoming draft.

Pro Football Focus’ Seth Galina recently released a three-round mock draft for every team in the NFC East, with the Cowboys coming away with four players. When discussing the draft, there will always be a debate for drafting the teams biggest need or the best player available. However, the melding of the two beliefs sometimes works out the best. So lets get into Galina’s three-round Dallas Cowboys mock draft. 

At this point in the pre-draft process Patrick Surtain II is the player most easily associated with the Cowboys. The overload of information during this draft season has seemed to sour some fans on Surtain, however Dallas would be overjoyed to pair the Alabama product with his former college teammate Trevon Diggs. While Surtain is not the consensus top defensive player on all draft boards, The Athletics’ Dane Brugler, has him ranked as his top defender and the 10th best player overall in the 2021 draft. If the Cowboys wind up drafting the 6-foot-2 corner it would be a result of having one of their highest-rated players at arguably their biggest positional need.

In the second round Dallas would select Alim McNeill, defensive tackle out of NC State. A 320-pound nose tackle, McNeill could immediately help the defense anchor down against the run. However, there is a belief McNeill could take time some to develop into a eventual three-down player. McNeill has athletic traits, but has only been playing on the defensive line since joining the Wolfpack. After taking two top-100 picks in the 2019 and 2020 draft at DT, McNeill might be a reach for Dallas with the 44th overall pick, especially when a higher rated safety, linebacker or offensive tackle would likely still be on the board.

Houston’s Payton Turner could be an intriguing pick at 75 for the Cowboys. Turner could slide into the role that recently-retired Tyrone Crawford once filled. At 6-foot-5 270 pounds, Turner has the ability to play outside and inside on the defensive line. According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic,

“Turner is among the best effort players in this draft class who uses his long strides and speed to chase down ball carriers . . . does a great job keeping his hands and feet in lock step to attack and work off blocks . . . He projects as an eventual NFL starter with inside/outside versatility.”

Turner would be an even better pick for Dallas, if they were able to land a starter in the second round of this mock draft.

While tight end might not be considered a need for the Cowboys, Tommy Tremble from Notre Dame could be a blinking light player for Dallas at pick 99. With the loss of Blake Bell in free agency, the Cowboys could use a tight end that can come in and contribute in the run game. Tremble offers that and more.

Tremble was under utilized as a receiver in college, but has enough upside to develop into a starter.

Overall PFF’s NFC East mock draft gave the Cowboys a decent haul of talent for the future. While a DT in the second round could be viewed as a reach, having a big body in the middle of  the defensive line would help this defense against the run. However, the highlight of the draft would be Patrick Surtain as he we would be the perfect balance of need and best player available for Dallas.

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