Should the Cowboys skip defense and draft Christian Darrisaw OT?
There’s no question that the Dallas Cowboys need to restore their defense armory. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Big D should go big by drawing in defensive power for recalibration. The offensive unit, compared to the defensive half, was unbalanced and frankly, disconcerting.
The Dallas Cowboys need help in all areas of the defense. Dallas needs to rebuild the front line with sure pass rushers. They must add some depth and insurance at the linebacker spots. Finally, the ‘Boys need to restore faith in the safety positions as well as the cornerback’s room.
By the time September 2021 rolls around, Dallas might look like a different (read: stronger) squad when it’s all said and done following the NFL Draft and free agency. With all eyes pointing at the defense, there is one major area of concern. The offensive line.
A great big, broken wall
When Dak Prescott went down, the world saw once again the importance of a franchise star at the helm. Even football stars outside of Big D expressed their sorrows on Prescott’s injury. But to add salt to the wound, Dallas would face further collapse.
Tyron Smith, LT
After starting 131 NFL games from 2011 to 2019, Smith registered only two contests in all of 2020. Protecting the quarterback’s blind side is a must, so his absence was felt immediately. The outstanding left tackle turned 30 last December.
La’el Collins, RT
Since 2015, Collins has played in 62 pro games for the Cowboys. He started 61 games, shifting from left guard to right tackle. He turns 28 this July.
Zack Martin, RG
Martin, a future Hall of Famer, caught the injury bug in 2020. From 2014 to 2017, the guard started all 64 regular-season games to boot his career. He took a slight dip in 2018, starting 14 games. In 2019, he dipped back up, starting all 16 games.
In 2020, Martin suited up for 10 games. In total, the guard owns 104 career starts under his belt. He turns 31 in November.
A brave new world wall?
With the tenth pick of this 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Christian Darrisaw. Offensive tackle. Virginia Tech.
Is this likely to happen? I doubt it. But let’s not hop over the idea. If we downloaded and installed the brain trust of the Dallas front office, this move may make sense for the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys have some special knock out power offensively. To plant their foot and strike, the offensive line has to be healthy, and more importantly, availability is a must.
Running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard made the most of the offensive line configurations in 2020. But despite all the Band-Aids and swapping of the parts, the ‘Boys were never really men at the western front.
Enter rookie Darrisaw?
Coming out of Virginia Tech, Darrisaw comes in as a shifty tackle. He stands at six-foot-five, 314 pounds. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia.
Darrisaw earned First-Team All-ACC in 2020. According to the Virginia Tech Athletics site, he started 34 games during his three tours at college.
Depending on Smith’s health moving forward, the Cowboys could use Darrisaw as an insurance option or a starter waiting in the wings. But is it possible La’el Collins returns to the interior as a left guard and Darrisaw spends time at the right tackle spot?
light. Must Read. Cowboys projected to land four compensatory draft picks
My two cents
For me, the Dallas Cowboys need to usher in a new safety with their first choice of the 2021 NFL Draft. I am still big on going defense. Cornerback? Defensive tackle? Defensive end? It doesn’t matter — the Cowboys need to add some horsepower on the defense.
While I like Darrisaw’s profile, exercising the first pick on him might be a wasteful option. Not to mention, the choice might disrupt Cowboys Nation.