Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL mock draft: The first four picks

Like safety, one-technique defensive tackles are traditionally a position the Cowboys refuse to invest highly in. In recent years, Dallas has drafted three-technique defensive tackles in the second and third rounds. Both Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore are on the depth chart because of it.

But the Cowboys clearly need a run-stuffing defensive tackle in the interior of their defensive line to help clog those rushing lanes. After all, Dallas fielded the second-worst rushing defense in the NFL last season, allowing an average of 158.8 yards on the ground per game.

Even the Dallas’ brass conceded they needed a stouter presence in the middle of their defensive line with the free agency signing of Dontari Poe last year. Unfortunately, Poe was a shell of his former Pro Bowl self and was released midseason due to poor play. Still, the need persists and the Cowboys attempted to correct it just last season.

With a new defensive coordinator in charge, the hope is both the safety and one-tech defensive tackle positions are an early focus in the upcoming draft for the Cowboys. And if the board falls right, perhaps LSU’s Tyler Shelvin would be the selection here.

The 6-foot-3, 346-pound defensive tackle out of LSU is described as being an outstanding run defender who is the kind of space eater the Cowboys have desperately needed in the middle of their defensive line. As a sophomore for the Tigers in 2019, Shelvin recorded 39 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and two pass deflections in 13 games.