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With the 99th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected cornerback Nahshon Wright. It was well known the Cowboys wanted corners in this draft, and now they have picked up their second one.
There’s no telling what Nashon Wright will bring in the NFL, and while he was regularly ranked as a day three-priority free agent, the Cowboys decided to take a flyer in the top 100, on a corner with excellent size and ball skills.
Lanky, angular cornerback with good length but bad speed. Wright possesses above-average instincts and shows some ability to squat, burst and smother shorter routes from off coverage, but he will need help over the top because his recovery speed is lacking. He doesn’t have the instant acceleration or agility to stay connected to NFL route runners, which will limit his scheme fits. His length and play traits could make him a target for Cover 3 defenses who care less about long speed and more about ball skills.
Wright was a consistent cornerback at Oregon State and showed progress in his game the past three seasons. He possesses size, growth potential, and enough cover skills to play at the next level, but he must improve his playing strength. He’s a Day 3 pick who could initially line up in dime packages as a rookie.
- Round 1, pick 12 - LB Micah Parsons
- Round 2, pick 44 - CB Kelvin Joseph
- Round 3, pick 75 - DT Osa Odighizuwa
- Round 3, pick 84 - DE Chauncey Golston
- Round 3, pick 99 - CB Nahshon Wright
- Round 4, pick 115
- Round 4, pick 138
- Round 5, pick 179
- Round 6, pick 192
- Round 6, pick 227
- Round 7, pick 238
Cowboys needs:
CB - It’s the most popular position for the Cowboys to use their #10 pick on. Chidobe Awuzie departed in free agency from a group that wasn’t very strong to begin with. Trevon Diggs is a piece to build on, but the Cowboys need help.
OL - Injury and age are catching up to various pieces of the Cowboys once-vaunted offensive line. Tyron Smith has an uncertain long-term future, and the middle of the line still has question marks.
DL - The Cowboys could use an infusion of talent at both defensive tackle and defensive end. Expect both positions to be among the picks this weekend.
LB - Sean Lee retired, Joe Thomas left in free agency, and the Cowboys are undecided on Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option. This is a need that has been building this offseason.
S - The Cowboys signed a few free agents to go with Donovan Wilson, but they were mostly one-year contracts. The long-term stability of the position is in doubt, and the small sample size of Wilson’s work only adds to that.