The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2021 NFL Draft with 10 picks over the three-day event. They gave their 10th overall pick to the Eagles for their 12th pick and a third-round selection (No. 84) on Day 2 and have 11 total selections. With the 12th pick, Dallas took Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
On Friday in Round 2, Dallas selected CB Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky at No. 44. You can find details and analysis of the rest of their picks below.
Advertisement
In Year 2 of the Mike McCarthy era in Dallas, the Cowboys really need help on defense. They finished 6-10 last season — a year marred by an injury to QB Dak Prescott and not having their two starting offensive tackles for nearly the entire season. Dallas was 28th in the league in 2020 in points allowed per game (29.6) and were 23rd in yards allowed.
They’re looking to bounce back in 2021 with a healthy Prescott, the return of Tyron Smith and La’el Collins and a defense injected with youth and talent from this draft.
LIVE BLOG: The latest from the NFL Draft
ROUND 2-3 PICK BY PICK: Dane Brugler’s analysis
DRAFT GRADES: Sheil Kapadia’s report cards
BIG BOARD: Best available players remaining
ROUND 1: Brugler’s analysis | Kapadia’s grades
ROUND 1
No. 12: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Jon Machota’s analysis: He wasn’t drafted this high to sit on the bench. He’s a legitimate three-down linebacker who should make an immediate impact.
Bob Sturm’s analysis: Next, if you love Parsons so much at 10 and we believe that New York is at least considering him at 11, do you just stay there and take him and let the Eagles twist on DeVonta Smith?
Audrey Snyder on Parsons the player: Parsons is an excellent ball hunter because of his vision and agility near the line of scrimmage, also displaying exceptional sideline range.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: The Penn State linebacker played two seasons in college and led the team in tackles both years. What does this mean for Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch in Dallas?
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B+. New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn can deploy him in a number of different ways, and Parsons has the chance to have a special career.
ROUND 2
No. 44 Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Jon Machota’s analysis: Joseph has the ideal size for Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme at 6-0, 200 pounds with 32-inch arms.
Advertisement
Kyle Tucker on Joseph the player: To watch him run with the electric Smith on a deep ball at Alabama and then fight him for the interception is to know all the physical tools are there.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Based on talent, Joseph is a first-round player.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C. He’s a boom-or-bust type of prospect.
ROUND 3
No. 75 Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
Jon Machota’s analysis: Odighizuwa should be able to work into the mix as a rookie with his playing time depending largely on the overall health at the position and how quickly he’s able to pick up Dan Quinn’s system.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: At 280 pounds, he might be the Cowboys’ next Tyrone Crawford as a player who can be a base end, but also slide inside and provide interior disruption.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B. He played nose tackle in the Bruins’ 3-4 scheme. Odighizuwa should get a chance to compete for playing time right away and if nothing else could be a rotational pass rusher for Dallas.
No. 84 Chauncey Golston, edge, Iowa
Jon Machota’s analysis: Golston will likely compete with Tarell Basham, Dorance Armstrong and Bradlee Anae for playing time.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: This pick won’t be talked about much on TV, but I love the Golston pick for the Cowboys because he is a high floor lineman with outstanding instincts and effort.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B. He’s a fine option here as a rotational pass rusher who can line up on the edge or the interior.
No. 99 Nahshon Wright, CB, Oregon State
Jon Machota’s analysis: This pick could end up being the most criticized of the first five if Wright doesn’t end up contributing over the next few years.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: The first “woah” pick for me of the draft, I graded Wright as a raw, late-round development prospect, but he has rare height (6-4).
Advertisement
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: D. Maybe the Cowboys will eventually look like geniuses here, but this selection was one of the round’s biggest head-scratchers.
ROUND 4
No. 115 Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
Jon Machota’s analysis: New Cowboys LB Jabril Cox: “It was a surprise to me (to fall into the fourth round). I know my talents and what I can do.” Cox said had at least five calls with the Cowboys during the pre-draft process. “There was constant communication between us and them.”
“They’re getting a high character, versatile player, someone who can do multiple things on the defense and be able to play special teams.”
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Overall, Cox has holes in his game, primarily with his run fits, that make it tough to love him, but he is easy to like with his smooth athleticism, spatial awareness and football character. He projects as a versatile defender with three-down potential.
No. 138 Josh Ball, OT, Marshall
Jon Machota’s take: After spending their first 6 picks on defense, the Cowboys add an offensive player: Marshall OT Josh Ball (6-7, 308). Dane Brugler had Ball graded as a 5th-round pick and the 17th-best offensive tackle in this class. He started his college career at Florida State before transferring to Butler Community College and then Marshall. He started 7 games last year at right tackle and one at left tackle.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Ball displays efficient movement patterns in pass protection due to his nimble athleticism and body control to shut down the corner. However, he doesn’t always play under control and must be more punctual with his punch and weight transfer. Overall, Ball has impressive size and athletic traits and has NFL-level starting talent.
ROUND 5
No. 179 Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
Jon Machota’s take: The Cowboys considered taking a wide receiver in the third round. They end up doing so in the fifth by selecting Stanford’s Simi Fehoko. Dane Brugler had him graded as the 16th-best WR in this class and a projected third or fourth-round pick. The 6-4, 222-pound Fehoko was first-team All-Pac 12 last season, catching 37 passes for 574 yards and 3 touchdowns in 6 games.
Advertisement
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Fehoko is older and still growing into the position, but he has impressive short-area quickness for his size with the hand-eye coordination to reel in tough throws. He offers enticing pass-catching traits and special teams ability worth developing.
ROUND 6
No. 192 Quinton Bohanna, DT, Kentucky
Jon Machota’s take: The Cowboys used their first of two sixth-round picks on Kentucky DT Quinton Bohanna. The 6-4, 327-pound Bohanna was ranked 19th among defensive tackles in this class by Dane Brugler. Bohanna is viewed as a run-stopping nose tackle who doesn’t add much as a pass rusher. He had only two sacks in 45 college games.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Bohanna is a role-specific prospect and offers minimal pass rush value, but he is a short-area space-eater who can maintain his spot. He projects as a rotational two-gapping nose tackle.No. 227 Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
Jon Machota’s take: He’s 6-4, 212 with 34-inch arms. Another long DB for Dan Quinn’s defense. Mukuamu has positional flexibility. Over the last two years he started four games at free safety and 13 at corner. He had 6 interceptions, 15 passes defended over the last two years. Dane Brugler ranked Mukuamu as the 33rd-best CB in this class.
Dane Brugler’s analysis: Mukuamu offers intriguing length, flexibility and ball skills, but he is a raw, traits-based prospect and his NFL position will depend on scheme, projecting as a press-man corner who can be a matchup defender.
ROUND 7
No. 238 Matt Farniok, G, Nebraska
Jon Machota’s take: The Cowboys’ seventh-round pick, Matt Farniok, started 39 games at Nebraska. He started 26 games at right tackle, nine at right guard and one at center. The 6-5, 311-pound Farniok was a team captain the last two years. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten last year. Dane Brugler graded him as a priority free agent and the 29th-best offensive tackle in this class.
(Photo of Simi Fehoko: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57kW5rb3BnbHxzfJFqZmltX2V%2BcLDApaOaq12YvLiuzrKqZmpgZ35uusWlZJ2qkZvBbrzInKKsZZenrqWx0madoqxdm8KtuIysmqitpJ67qHnRnqeoqqSofA%3D%3D