Cowboys mocked to land draft’s top offensive lineman

Welcome to the offseason. Welcome to mock draft season. The speculation is well underway on which prospect the Dallas Cowboys might select 10th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. And that’s despite the fact the annual event is three months away.

Many view the defense in Dallas as the biggest area in need of an upgrade for America’s Team this offseason. And the fact the offense retained it’s coaching staff while the defense did not (in large part) should tell you that the team’s front office feels the same.

New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to simplify the defensive scheme in Big D. Focusing more on quicker reaction time than playing the type of complicated, multiple defense the Cowboys attempted to install virtually and without the aid of a true offseason training program last year.

While the defense is currently at the front of the line when it comes to team need heading into the draft, the Cowboys proved just last year that talent is valued above all. And if there’s a skilled offensive player on the board when their number is called in the first round, Dallas isn’t afraid to pull the trigger.

In 2020, that player was Oklahoma wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb. And he rewarded the Cowboys for the decision to draft him in the first round by posting 74 receptions for 935 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie.

And if what NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s recent mock draft comes true, the Cowboys will face another tough decision with an offensive stud still available at the 10th overall pick. Jeremiah believes Dallas will pick Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell with their first-round selection in 2021, once again ignoring their defensive needs.

"“Sewell could go as high as No. 3 overall to the Dolphins, but there’s a chance he slips to the Cowboys. They need to get younger and more talented along the offensive line.”"

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Sewell is the unquestioned top offensive lineman in this upcoming draft class. And the reasons why Dallas might opt to draft him over a defensive playmaker with their top pick are two-fold.

First, the Cowboys offensive line was decimated by injuries last season and that was one of the biggest reasons why they finished the year with a 6-10 record. Dallas lost both of their starting offensive tackles in Tyron Smith and La’el Collins for most of the season due to injury.

The 30-year old Smith’s health status is most concerning as he’s entering his 11th NFL season after missing 14 games in 2020 due to a neck injury. Various injuries have plagued the seven-time Pro Bowler over the past few years and as a result he’s been unable to play a full 16-game season since 2015.

Adding a player like Sewell to the offensive line should ensure the Cowboys have their future left tackle to eventually replace Smith in-house. In the meantime, the rookie could earn his bones starting at left guard playing beside Smith and replacing Connor Williams.

Second, there don’t appear to be any dominate defenders worthy of a top-ten pick in the 2021 draft class. If that’s true, the Cowboys would be reaching to draft a player in order to fit a team need rather than simply adding the most talented player to their roster. This typically doesn’t work out well, but only time would tell.

If the Dallas Cowboys once again choose an offensive player with their first-round selection in the draft, they will be doing their struggling defense and their new defensive coordinator no favors. But if the goal is to add the most skilled player that’s available to your roster on Day One of the draft, landing your team’s future starting left tackle for the next 10 years would be worth it.