Dallas Cowboys 2021 draft: 3 special teams targets to watch

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys decided to revamp their special teams unit. And that has been under the watchful eye of second-year special teams coordinator, John “Bones” Fassel.

The Cowboys replaced longtime long snapper L.P. Ladouceur with two-time Pro Bowler Jake McQuaide, who previously worked with both Fassel and second-year kicker, Greg Zuerlein, for eight years when they were all part of the Los Angeles Rams organization.

Dallas also parted ways with punter Chris Jones after a 10-year run. The Cowboys then brought in veteran punter Bryan Anger to compete with Hunter Niswander for the starting role this summer. With Fassel and the Dallas front office retooling the special teams unit, here are three prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft that could help to continue that process.

Avery Williams, CB – Boise State

Nine total special teams touchdowns and five blocked field goals in his college career says it all. Turn in the card. Avery Williams is the very definition of a special teams ace.

We’ve already expounded on why Williams would be a great day three selection for Dallas in our recent mock draft. The Cowboys’ previous success with drafting former Boise State Broncos combined with the need for a dynamic returner on special teams makes Williams a no-brainer target for Dallas sometime on day three of the draft.

Garret Wallow, LB – TCU

While watching TCU defensive highlights, you’ll often hear the play-by-play announcer say the following phrase over and over again: “Guess who? It’s Garret Wallow.”

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker simply makes plays. He’s a high-energy, ferocious tackler who comes into the NFL a bit undersized as a linebacker (hello chip on shoulder) and who struggles in coverage.

Wallow will likely have to make his bones on special teams behind linebackers like Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch in Dallas. And he certainly has the track record to quickly become not only a special teams ace but a fan favorite doing so. Wallow racked up amazing production at TCU over the past two seasons, recording a total of 215 tackles, 27.0 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Jalen Camp, WR – Georgia Tech

As a redshirt senior at Georgia Tech, wide receiver Jalen Camp recorded career highs in receptions (29), receiving yards (439), and touchdowns (4), leading his entire team in 2020. But the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout could crack the already stocked Cowboys receiver corps as a special teams ace.

Running a lightning-quick 4.43 second forty and bench pressing 225 pounds an insane 30 times at his pro day only highlighted Camp’s freakish athleticism. He might be viewed as an immediate impact player on Fassel’s special teams unit for now with a high ceiling to potentially become something more in the very near future.