Cowboys 2021 draft: 5 impact players beyond the first round
Most of the attention surrounding the NFL Draft for the Dallas Cowboys is about their first-round pick. It is understandable since the team holds the 10th overall pick. That doesn’t mean the team can’t draft a top prospect outside the premium round.
We have all heard this more than enough times. The greatest quarterback of all time was a sixth-round draft pick. Along with that, the Cowboys found their franchise quarterback in the fourth round. With that in mind, who can Dallas find past day one?
123. Pick Analysis. OG. 5. player. Scouting Report. Wisconsin-Whitewater 6'3 320 lbs. QuinnMeinerz
Most of the hype surrounding players about to be drafted are Division I players. Sometimes you will see a Division II quarterback grab attention. When was the last time a Division III player caught your eye?
Not only is this player from a Division III school, but he is also an offensive lineman. Had it not been for the Senior Bowl, no one would know who Quinn Meinerz is. Well, the Senior Bowl happened, and Meinerz dominated.
https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1356325850208108544?s=20
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line struggled this past season, but that is because they were injured. One of the few offensive linemen remaining was left guard Connor Williams.
While he plays well when run blocking, he needs to work on his pass protection. Not to mention his rookie contract expires after next season.
To add to that, right guard Zack Martin is 30-years-old and just suffered a season-ending injury at the end of the 2020 season. As he gets older, injuries may creep up.
If the team wants a long-term project with high potential, Meinerz would not be a bad idea. Spending a mid to late-round pick would be a low risk, high reward situation for the Cowboys.
His Senior Bowl performance catapulted his value to a third/fourth-rounder. Despite his showing at the Senior Bowl, drafting a Division III player in the third round is a reach.
If Quinn Meinerz is still on the board come the fourth round, Jerry Jones should consider him. From the fifth round and on, Meinerz should be a grab. Yes, he is a Division III player, but he dominated Power 5 linemen. That should be enough to convince any general manager to draft him.
Don’t expect him to play starting snaps in his rookie season or even in his sophomore season. He is an emergency option/future piece for the Cowboys as their offensive line begins to fall. Dallas now knows what can happen when you lack depth. It is a devastating lesson learned.