{"id":112981,"date":"2021-05-03T19:36:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-03T23:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=112981"},"modified":"2021-05-03T19:36:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T23:36:25","slug":"dallas-cowboys-2021-nfl-draft-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/05\/03\/dallas-cowboys-2021-nfl-draft-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft centered around a significant push to fortify their struggling defense, exclusively targeting defensive players until Josh Ball at 138<sup>th<\/sup> overall. The defense was a key point for Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys as the boys in blue were near the bottom of the league in just about every statistical category last year, and now it&#8217;s time to review how they did in the draft. The Cowboys final draft results are as follows:<\/p>\n<p>[pickup_prop id=&#8221;6785&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/02\/21\/2021-nfl-draft-profile-micah-parsons\/\" target=\"_self\">Micah Parsons<\/a>, LB, Penn State (12<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/18\/kelvin-joseph-2021-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Kelvin Joseph<\/a>, CB Kentucky (44<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/02\/20\/2021-nfl-draft-profile-osa-odighizuwa\/\" target=\"_self\">Osa Odighizuwa<\/a>, DL, UCLA (75 Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/03\/27\/2021-nfl-draft-profile-chauncey-golston\/\" target=\"_self\">Chauncey Golston<\/a>, EDGE, Iowa (84<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li>Nashon Wright, CB, Oregon State (99<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/24\/2021-nfl-draft-jabril-cox-player-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Jabril Cox<\/a>, LB, LSU (115<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/26\/josh-ball-2021-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Josh Ball<\/a>, OT, Marshall (138<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/14\/2021-nfl-draft-simi-fehoko-player-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Simi Fehoko<\/a>, WR, Stanford (179<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/26\/2021-nfl-draft-quinton-bohanna-player-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Quinton Bohanna<\/a>, DL, Kentucky (192<sup>nd<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/26\/2021-nfl-draft-israel-mukuamu-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Isreal Mukuamu<\/a>, CB, South Carolina (227<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<li>Matt Farniok, OL, Nebraska (238<sup>th<\/sup> Overall)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft Grade: 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft Review: Defense Wins Championships<\/h2>\n<h4>The Best Player: Micah Parsons<\/h4>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udde3 MICAH PARSONS<br \/>Welcome to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CowboysNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#CowboysNation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MicahhParsons11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MicahhParsons11<\/a>!!!!!! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DallasCowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#DallasCowboys<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ItsMillerTime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ItsMillerTime<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/riyE8V8npO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/riyE8V8npO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dallascowboys\/status\/1387947986286694400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Cowboys are doubling down to fortify their linebacker core in order to control the run game. Micah Parsons is a great player and will add to an already stellar linebacker group. Dallas was able to secure this great defensive pick while trading back with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/eagles\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Parsons is an obvious first-round talent, however not a top-five talent. With Dallas sitting at tenth in the draft, and teams looking to move up, drafting Parsons at 12<sup>th<\/sup> overall makes perfect sense. The Cowboys get to begin working to rework their defense while keeping future draft capital.<\/p>\n<h4>Missed Opportunities: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/18\/2021-nfl-draft-creed-humphrey-player-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Creed Humphrey<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/03\/18\/2021-nfl-draft-profile-kyle-trask\/\" target=\"_self\">Kyle Trask<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Dallas is looking to control the trenches with great offensive line play, and by adding to their defensive ranks. Dallas missed an opportunity to do just that by letting some great offensive linemen slip to other teams. Creed Humphrey is one of those players. A savvy veteran out of the University of Oklahoma, he is versatile; intelligent; and able to identify defenses very well. Humphrey would have made an excellent addition to this aging offensive line.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PresDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dak Prescott<\/a> has recently signed a four-year contract worth $160 million. Last year was a bitter piece of humble pie, looking at Dallas\u2019 backup quarterback situation. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DaltAn00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andy Dalton<\/a> leaving for Chicago in free agency, Dallas should be looking to secure a safe and steady quarterback to back up their young star. With the other quarterbacks flying off the shelf, Trask would have been a great second-round pick, or an opportunity to move up and secure the future at signal-caller for Big D.<\/p>\n<h4>Kelvin Joseph: Pro\u2019s and Con\u2019s<\/h4>\n<p>Joseph makes sense in the second round. He is a big, physical, and versatile player entering a defense devoid of solid defensive back-play. Joseph has great speed and obvious talent. This pick should have Dallas fans nervous while some have questioned Joseph\u2019s focus on the field. The potential defensive anchor has released six music albums and has faced suspension before opting out of the 2020 season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udde3 KELVIN JOSEPH<br \/>Welcome to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CowboysNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#CowboysNation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bossmanfat1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@bossmanfat1<\/a>\u2755<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DallasCowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#DallasCowboys<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ItsMillerTime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ItsMillerTime<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1AiFCygsL7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1AiFCygsL7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dallascowboys\/status\/1388283375266447363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Defensive Line Additions<\/h4>\n<p>Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston, and Quinton Bohanna round out Dallas\u2019 defensive line draft picks. Odighizuwa is a great pick for Dallas here. He is a disruptive player who can play in multiple schemes. The future defensive anchor will also prove worthy of stopping the run. Golston is a great potential talent pick here. He has tremendous size and length. He is also a sure tackler and showed talent in getting to the quarterback. Bohanna fills a much-needed void at nose guard for the Cowboys. At 6\u20194\u201d 330 pounds, the former Kentucky Wildcat looks to solidify the run defense while disrupting pass protection for some newly acquired edge rushers to get to the passer.<\/p>\n<h4>The Rest<\/h4>\n<p>Dallas also selected cornerbacks Nashon Wright and Isreal Mukuamu. Wright is a physical specimen at 6\u20194\u201d 185 pounds. He is a sure-handed tackler, and above average in press coverage. Isreal Mukuamu is a player Dallas can use to match up with tight ends. With the tight end position making a resurgence, Dallas will be looking to secure that side of the field. The last two Super Bowl-winning teams, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/chiefs\" target=\"_self\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/buccaneers\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>, have had future hall of fame tight ends. Dallas drafting Mukuamu could be the start to shutting this position down.<\/p>\n<p>Jabril Cox was drafted in the fourth round out of LSU. The former Tiger will fit in nicely with this already stellar linebacker core. Dallas is unlikely to pick up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/V\/VandLe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leighton Vander Esch<\/a>\u2019s player option, paving the way for playing time for Dallas\u2019 recently drafted linebackers. Cox could step up and contribute from day one if he is able to impress during training camp.<\/p>\n<p>Dallas finishes up the draft with Josh Ball, Simi Feheko, and Matt Farniok. Ball and Farniok are both offensive linemen. With Dallas\u2019 line closer to ancient than young, these O linemen could contribute early on in their careers. Dallas has been playing musical chairs with the offensive line for the past two seasons. With injuries, other players retiring, and some leaving in free agency, there will be plenty of vacancy for these rookies to make a significant impact quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Fehoko is a wide receiver out of Stanford. He is stepping in to a crowded wide receiver room headed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CoopAm00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amari Cooper<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LambCe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CeeDee Lamb<\/a>. Fehoko could struggle to find the field early on in his career. Dallas\u2019 contract situation is the silver lining for Fehoko. With Prescott standing to make the majority of money in later seasons, Cooper and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GallMi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Gallup<\/a> could find other landing spots\u2014opening the door for Fehoko.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"RIWlIQ2QT8pw-o9evfGx0w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1315296278\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RIWlIQ2QT8pw-o9evfGx0w',sig:'iHr33fVQjX4JnR7NJ8iy7QevIubGfbZ-hOiJdJUphu8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1315296278',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft Rview: The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Draft centered around a significant push to restock their defense.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3737,"featured_media":113075,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19,1647],"tags":[7590,7969,6993],"class_list":["post-112981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cowboys","category-nfl-draft","tag-dallas-cowboys-draft","tag-kelvin-joseph","tag-micah-parsons"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3737"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}