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The Dallas Cowboys made the biggest splash in the offseason when they signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a monster contract. Now comes the 2021 NFL draft.
The Cowboys have one of the deadliest offenses in the league when healthy. The other side of the ball is a completely different story though.
The majority of mock drafts have the Cowboys taking either cornerback Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn with their first pick. Their second-round pick should also be used on defense to help America's Team not be in a shootout every week.
Below are three options for the Cowboys' number 44 selection.
Cowboys NFL Draft Targets:
1. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
The Dallas' pass defense was better than the run defense, but the secondary is still in need of an upgrade. The Cowboys brought in safety Keanu Neal, but he might be used in a linebacker role.
Holland is one of the top safety prospects this year. He is versatile and can line up in different spots for the defense. In college, he was deployed as a strong safety and slot cornerback. Should he round out his game, even more, he could even be a free safety at the next level.
Holland is a good run defender, which is important for a Dallas team that regularly got run all over. He has a great processor, can see plays develop, and respond accordingly. He plays physically and is a sure tackler.
He could add some more weight to his frame, especially if he will be used mostly as a strong safety. Coming in at just over 6'0 and 207 pounds, he could struggle against more physically imposing receivers.
2. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Onwuzurike is usually listed as the second-best interior defensive lineman after Alabama's Christian Barmore. Unfortunately, this is not one of the best and deepest positions in the class. The Cowboys know that.
Onwuzurike has good size at 6'3, 293 pounds and possesses the physical tools and strength to be a difference-maker in the trenches. He is a high motor player and does not give up on plays, which the Cowboys will love. Onwuzurike has a good first step, which is trouble for offensive linemen.
He has violent hands that he uses to get free from blockers and is quite flexible for the Cowboys as a defensive tackle. Onwuzurike is solid against the run and can eat up space.
For all his positive traits and potential, the production has not been commensurate. Also, he could add more moves to his pass rush arsenal.
3. Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest
The pass rush for the Cowboys lost depth with the departure of Aldon Smith. Randy Gregory is in the last year of his contract. The defense needs someone to pair with Demarcus Lawrence in getting to the quarterback.
This is where Basham comes in. He has ideal size at 6'5, 285 pounds and carries that frame well with his quickness. Basham is a polished prospect, difficult to block, and utilizes and has a wide range of moves to win his matchups. He has the versatility to slide down inside to the tackle spot for the Cowboys in obvious passing situations.
The knock on him is that for an edge rusher he is slower than other top prospects. Also, while his work against the run could is solid it could use some improvement.
