There is now officially less than a month between now and the 2021 NFL Draft and we are starting to get a better idea of who we think is going to be available when the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock.
It is generally rare for there to be a consensus among Cowboys fans, but it appears that most people are on board with Patrick Surtain II as the team’s pick should he be available. This seems possible, and ultimately wise, as the secondary is in serious need of a rejuvenation for the future.
The thing about Surtain as a possible pick, though, is that while it is the best investment in the future it is also the best move for the team in the here and now. Rarely do these causes align, but they certainly seem to in this particular case.
NFL.com’s analytics-based mock draft with “win now” approach has Cowboys landing a cornerback
At the beginning of March, NFL.com released a mock draft based on analytics that was driven with a “win now” approach for each team. This particular mock had the Cowboys taking Miami edge rusher Gregory Rosseau.
NFL Media’s Cynthia Frelund did this exercise again, although this time the Cowboys are addressing the back end of the defense. What’s more is that they are specifically taking Patrick Surtain II.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Surtain II
Alabama · CB · Junior
Projected press production on third downs drives this pick, which looks like one of the best fits for any selection in this first round. Among my projections, Surtain is the corner with the highest ceiling.
There are definitely people who would say that South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn has a higher ceiling than Surtain, but that is an opinion that can certainly be debated. One thing is for sure and it is that Surtain has the highest floor of any cornerback prospect. He is CB1.
Overall, the Cowboys are going to be fine as long as they get help for their secondary period, but it would certainly help to have the best available prospect when it is all said and done. Surtain appears to be that and now he even has analytics supporting his cause.