Cowboys 2021 NFL mock draft tracker: Three different offensive tackles show up this week

Cowboys mock drafts have been holding relatively stable over the last few weeks. In general, there is a group of mocks that center around cornerback, specifically either Patrick Surtain or Caleb Farley. Then you have the more wild card mocks, but one of the common positions that get mocked to the Cowboys outside of cornerback is offensive tackle.

With the Cowboys offensive line having its struggles with injury last season, and with tackle Tyron Smith missing time regularly over the last four seasons, offensive tackle has become a priority. So the position regularly shows up in mock drafts, and the specific offensive tackle is usually Rashawn Slater. He shows up again this week, but he is not the only offensive tackle to show up. Let’s explore.

Walter Football

Dallas Cowboys: Rashawn Slater, OT/G/C, Northwestern

The Cowboys can’t trust Tyron Smith anymore. He’s been injured far too often over the past few years. The defense must be addressed, but protecting Dak Prescott is most important.

Rashawn Slater can play every position on the offensive line. He some great tape against Chase Young.

So this is the standard offensive tackle pick. Slater’s prospect ranking falls just around the Cowboys #10 pick, so it makes some sense. Now let’s venture a elsewhere to a prospect who would be a steal for the Cowboys.

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Penei Sewell OL

OREGON • JR • 6’6” / 330 LBS

Given the state of their offensive line — aging and injuries galore — the Cowboys are glad to stop Sewell’s fall here.

If Sewell somehow falls all the way to Dallas at pick #10, it seems like they would have to take him, it would be just too much talent to pass up at a premier position. On the other end of the spectrum, this next pick feels like it would kind of be a reach at #10.

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune

10. Dallas (6-10) — Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech, Sr.

Injuries and age are starting to erode what was once the Cowboys greatest strength, it’s offensive line. Darrisaw could definitely find his way into the top 10 if he tests as well as I believe he will during the draft process. Top needs: OL, DB, DT

In this mock, the top corners are gone but Slater is still available.

Before we hit the corners, one more wild card that shows up every so often.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)

Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (6-6, 260 pounds)

The Cowboys need to help DeMarcus Lawrence better up front especially with the likelihood of losing both Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith. Rousseau, who opted out of the Hurricanes season, didn’t really need to play to boost his stock after posting 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his lone significant and final season under defensive-minded head coach Manny Diaz. He would be a great fit with new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

With DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory under contract, and a possible return of Aldon Smith, this one feels a little off base. And Rousseau also feels like a minor reach here.

Now, on to the two corners. There is an even split this week. First, Patrick Surtain.

Charley Casserly, NFL.com

10 - Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Surtain II

Alabama · CB · Junior

Dallas has plenty of defensive needs, and Surtain gives Dan Quinn’s unit another good young cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs

Zack Patraw, Si.com FanNation

10 Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

After losing Byron Jones in free agency last year, the Cowboys weren’t the same on the boundary. They need to take a corner early in the draft and Patrick Surtain is the perfect pick. He’s athletic with good length and range and would instantly boost the Dallas secondary.

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

Patrick Surtain II CB

ALABAMA • JR • 6’2” / 203 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Dallas

The son of the 11-year veteran joins a Dallas team in desperate need of some immediate impact performers. A few high-priced players on the roster have not lived up to their end of the bargain.

Second, Caleb Farley.

Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire

10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Rookie Trevon Diggs showed some potential when he was able, but other than that, the need for improvement is obvious.

Enter Caleb Farley, who chose to stay in school for the 2020 season before opting out. It’s pretty certain he would have been a high first-round pick a year ago, and he’ll certainly be one now based on the tape teams have.

Anthony Treash, PFF

10. DALLAS COWBOYS: CB CALEB FARLEY, VIRGINIA TECH

It’s no secret that Dallas struggled in the secondary in 2020, so taking Caleb Farley here will most certainly help that. Before opting out of the 2020 season, Farley allowed one or fewer catches in seven of his 11 starts in 2019 while intercepting four passes and breaking up nine en route to a 26.8 passer rating allowed and 90.5 coverage grade.

Farley has all the physical tools needed to thrive in the NFL. One of the only issues for me is the lack of press-man he played in Virginia Tech’s defense, but it’s a minor one, and he clearly has the tools to succeed in that department at the NFL level.

Staff, Pro Football Network

10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Cowboys need to address their cornerback position in this draft. Their secondary was a clear weakness last season, so adding the top cornerback available would be an ideal situation. Caleb Farley would have the opportunity to become an instant starter alongside Trevon Diggs in 2021.

If faced with a choice between the two, who would you take?