Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL mock draft: The first four picks

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to enter free agency this week. The current regime in Dallas seems more than satisfied to sit on the sidelines while other NFL teams make the splashing signings when the market initially opens.

And considering the new salary cap limit of $182.5 million, the Cowboys would be wise to focus on the upcoming draft to fill the majority of their team needs rather than in free agency. With that in mind, here’s our pre-free agency mock draft for their first four picks.

Cornerback is undoubtedly the Cowboys’ biggest need heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. And that’s primarily due to the team potentially losing two starters, Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, to free agency,

Even if the Cowboys ink a veteran or two via free agency at defensive back, landing a quality corner that could potentially start opposite Trevon Diggs for the next five years seems paramount regardless.

The two leading candidates to land in Dallas with the 10th overall pick appear to be cornerback Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech and Patrick Surtain II from Alabama. Either prospect would be considered an upgrade in the Cowboys’ secondary, but we’re giving the slight edge to Farley here.

At 6-foot-2, 207-pound, Farley would seem to have a desirable build that new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would prefer. Opting out last season, Caleb recorded 20 combined tackles, 12 pass defends, and four interceptions in 10 games as a sophomore in 2019. Farley appears to possess the frame and skills to be considered the top cornerback prospect in this draft class.