Cowboys make franchise history with another defensive draft pick
The Cowboys have made it clear the ultimate goal during the 2021 NFL Draft is for the team to improve on defense.
The Dallas Cowboys have spent years, and hundreds of millions of dollars, establishing an elite core on offense. But the 2020 season proved a great offense is nothing without at least an NFL-worthy defense.
Jerry Jones got the message and drafted Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round. Next up was Kentucky defensive back Kelvin Joseph. The trend continued Saturday as the Cowboys made franchise history with this run on defensive prospects.
For the first time in franchise history, the Cowboys have spent their first six picks on defense:
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 1, 2021
LB Micah Parsons
CB Kelvin Joseph
DT Osa Odighizuwa
DE Chauncey Golston
CB Nahshon Wright
LB Jabril Cox
Cowboys adding talent at every spot on defense
The Cowboys allowed nearly 30 points per game in 2020 and nearly had the worst run defense in all of football. Only the Houston Texans were worse. Anyone trying to cite the pass defense marks must remember how easy it was for teams to run all over the Dallas defense.
Adding two linebackers, two defensive backs, and two defensive linemen appears to be a good strategy. The Cowboys coaching staff can just let the top talent rise to the top in 2021.
That includes at the linebacker position, where Parsons could end up being a long-term replacement for someone like Leighton Vander Esch or Jaylon Smith. The former has a decision that needs made on his fifth-year option, while the latter sees his dead cap value drop significantly following this upcoming season.
The Cowboys focused on offense for so long. Now Jones is making a statement in this year’s draft and could have just formed a new core in Dallas for the next four years, at a minimum. He may not even be done and could end up with an all defensive class.
Next. NFL Draft: 5 biggest winners from Round 1. dark