Cowboys NFL Draft: Here's The Spot Dallas Should Prioritize Over O-Line
They say a quarterback's best friend is a great wide receiver. In reality, it's great protection.
Teams with strong offensive lines tend to produce better numbers under center due to the quarterback having time to throw. Of the top 10 rosters that allowed the fewest sacks in 2020, nine went to the playoffs.
So, here's the age old question for the Dallas Cowboys entering the offseason: should they draft an offensive tackle with the 10th overall pick?
Dallas is hopeful that Dak Prescott will return with a long-term deal in the future. According to a reliable source, CowboysSI.com is told exclusively that the quarterback could be "100 percent by April.''
READ MORE: Dak EXCLUSIVE: Cowboys QB Could Be '100% By April'
Still, what good is a quarterback without protection? Of the five starters from 2019, only Connor Williams played all 16 games last season. La'el Collins missed the entire year after suffering a hip injury. Tyron Smith only played in two games and 154 snaps.
The 2021 NFL Draft will feature a multitude of talented pass-protectors. Headlined by Oregon's Penei Sewell and Northwestern's Rashawn Slater, both could be options if available when Dallas is picking.
Sewell is one of the more clean-cut prospects the NFL has ever seen. A powerful upper body to match precise footwork, some believe Sewell is the next franchise All-Pro left tackle. Line him up and watch him work.
The same goes for Slater, who is less known coming from the BIG 10. He has experience playing both sides and provides value due to his knockout run blocking skills. Slater's a nasty finisher, making up for power what he lacks in overall size.
Best of all? Both players opted-out in 2020, meaning they both should come fully healthy Week 1.
Each is worthy of donning the Cowboys' colors. However, this is a loaded class at the tackle position. But what of the status of cornerbacks in this draft ... and on this team?
Dallas' secondary needs a tune-up. We suggested earlier this month even if new D-coordinator Dan Quinn added names in free agency, the Cowboys still should address the back end in the draft.
READ MORE: Safety Net: How Should Cowboys Fix The Secondary?
Second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs is set to cover one side. He'll need a running mate opposite him.
Alabama's Patrick Surtain II and Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley could fit Quinn's 4-3 scheme. Surtain might be the better prospect Day One, but there's little downside on Farley's game in coverage. Jaycee Horn is also somewhere in this mix.
After those guys, there's a drop-off in premier talent at defensive back. Meanwhile, there's upside at tackle after the 10 slot with names such as Texas' Samuel Cosmi, Cincinnati's James Hudson, Michigan's Jalen Mayfield and Alabama's Alex Leatherwood.
All four could be viable starters down the line. They also all might be available on Day 2.
Even assuming a healthy return of Tyron, Dallas' need for protection for Prescott is evident. So is the need to upgrade the secondary. In the end, which problem is easier to fix?
We think both. It's just matters on where you draft the position. And to us, a cornerback early and an offensive tackle
CONTINUE READING: Cowboys Mock Draft 3.0: Surtain And Moehrig?
