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The Dallas Cowboys appear to be a sinking ship taking on water quickly. Not only have they been outscored by 50 points over the last two games, but the team continues to put in adequate effort on film for the world to see. The 2020 season has been an abject failure, and while it’s also possible a team like this can somehow find their bearing, it’s not very plausible considering the mounting evidence.
The reaction, or lack thereof, to their QB getting knocked into a concussed state illegally is just the latest sign that a team who’s concentration and effort is routinely being questioned should now add heart to the list of things up for debate. As such, it makes far more sense to start tracking their path to the draft than to a playoff berth, even with only being half a game out of first place.
The loss dropped Dallas’ record to 2-5 on the season. Regardless of the rest of the results from this weekend’s action, that places the Cowboys in the No. 8 slot in the 2021 NFL draft. Here’s how.
Ahead of Dallas in draft order (worse winning percentage) sits just two teams still with games to go. Jacksonville (1-5) and the Los Angeles Chargers (1-4). Unless the game ends in a tie, the winner will have two wins on the season. A 2-4 Chargers team is going to fall behind Dallas. A 2-5 Jaguars team is going to have a better strength of schedule as entering the week, Dallas’ 16-game slate currently ranked 31st of 32 teams.
That places Dallas into No. 8 with nine games to go.
The team still has three games remaining against teams ahead of them in the draft order.
Remaining Regular Season Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date/Time (CT) | Network |
| 8 | @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) | Sunday, Nov 1 720 p.m. CT | NBC |
| 9 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) | Sunday, Nov 8 325 p.m. CT | CBS |
| 10 | BYE WEEK | ||
| 11 | @ Minnesota Vikings (1-5) | Sunday Nov 22, 3:25 p.m. CT | FOX |
| 12 | vs Washington Redskins (2-5) | Thursday, Nov 26, 3:30 p.m. CT | FOX |
| 13 | @ Baltimore Ravens (5-1) | Thursday, Dec 3 7:20 p.m. CT | FOX |
| 14 | @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-5-1) | Sunday Dec 13, Noon CT | FOX |
| 15 | vs San Francisco 49ers (3-3) | Sunday Dec 20, 7:20 p.m. CT | NBC |
| 16 | vs Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) | Sunday Dec 27, 3:25 p.m. CT | FOX |
| 17 | @ New York Giants (1-6) | Sunday Jan 3, Noon CT | FOX |
The last time Dallas selected eighth in the first round they took safety Roy Williams out of Oklahoma in 2002. They also selected Greg Ellis from North Carolina at No. 8 in 1998. Ronnie Lott going from USC to San Francisco in 1981 is probably the most famous No. 8 pick of the last 40 years.
This past April, Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons was taken by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 8 overall pick.
Here’s a look at the previous 10 players who were taken in that slot.
2019: TE T.J. Hockenson, Detroit
2018: LB Roquan Smith, Chicago
2017: RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina
2016: Tackle Jack Conklin, Tennessee
2015: DE Vic Beasley, Atlanta
2014: LB Anthony Barr, Minnesota
2013: WR Tavon Austin, Los Angeles
2012: QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami
2011: QB Jake Locker, Tennessee
2010: LB Rolando McClain, Oakland
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