Kiper & McShay three-round mock draft: Cowboys score big-time in the second round

When talking about the Dallas Cowboys and the 2021 NFL Draft, there is an intense focus on the pick at 10th overall. That makes sense, the closer to the top of the draft a pick is, the easier it is to predict, and it’s supposed to be the highest impact pick of the entire process. Also, mock drafts mostly deal with the first round, giving us a starting off point to discuss the possible pick. Today, though, we have a three-round mock draft courtesy of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay.

The interesting pick her is not the pick at #10, that is as predictable as they come, It’s the pick at #44 that should get the fanbase hyped. First, let’s deal with pick #10.

10. Dallas Cowboys

McShay’s pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Dallas gets first pick of the defensive pool, and I’m reuniting Surtain with his former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs in this CB room. Surtain is a true shutdown corner.

Surtain’s chances of being available here: 84.7%

This mock goes to form. Quarterbacks dominate the early proceedings, and Penei Sewell, Kyle Pitts, and Rashawn Slater are all off the board by the time Dallas picks. Barring a trade back, Surtain certainly makes sense here.

As we move on to the second round, the Cowboys get very lucky as a quality player slides, and is at a position of need for the Dallas defense.

44. Dallas Cowboys

McShay’s pick: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Only three teams allowed five-plus yards per carry last year, and Dallas was among them. Barmore would help stop the bleeding in the middle of the defense.

It’s hard to believe any Cowboys fan would be upset with the addition of these two Alabama defenders to the Dallas defense. Surtain and Barmore both fit a need, and neither is a reach, with Barmore a steal at this point. The Cowboys would be going a long way toward fixing their abysmal defense with these first two picks.

In the third round, the Cowboys add some depth to their offensive line.

75. Dallas Cowboys

Kiper’s pick: Walker Little, OT, Stanford

Offensive line is a sneaky need for the Cowboys, who had major injury issues last season. Little missed nearly all of 2019 with a knee injury and opted out of last season, but he has a first-round tool set.

As noted, there is some risk here with Little missing almost two whole seasons. But this is a decent moment in the draft to take a risk on a player that you think has tremendous upside. Size and skill make Little a starting candidate at left tackle down the road, but much will depend on how his pass blocking ability grows under NFL tutelage.

All in all, this would be a very solid draft for the Cowboys, with the Barmore pick especially enticing for its value.