Open Rants by kkunert327

2021 NFL Draft Grades 

Dallas Cowboys

1 (12) - Micah Parsons LB Penn State - B+

2 (12) - Kelvin Joseph CB Kentucky - D

3 (11) - Osa Odighizuwa DT UCLA - C

3 (21) - Chauncey Golston DE Iowa - D

3 (36) - Nashon Wright CB Oregon State - F

4 (10) - Jabril Cox LB LSU - B

4 (33) - Josh Ball OT Marshall - F 

5 (35) - Simi Fehoko WR Stanford - D

6 (8) - Quinton Bohanna DT Kentucky - D

6 (43) - Israel Mukuamu CB South Carolina - B+

7 (10) - Matt Farniok OG Nebraska - B

Overall: F 

- Yeah, I went there this draft was just that bad in my opinion. It was like once they could not land Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn they were just mad and kicking rocks. They did do a smart thing by trading down a bit, but then they took Micah Parsons. Sure he is a great defensive talent, but I saw bigger needs still at corner, safety, offensive line, or pass rush that could have made more sense here. I know they are getting fed up with Leighton Vander-Esch’s neck issues and Sean Lee did just retire. They also have Jaylon Smith a tad overpaid. Parsons can play, but he also comes with some maturity and off field issues that could get exacerbated down in Dallas. Then they followed up that pick with another character concern selection in Kelvin Joseph. They could have easily gotten a better corner prospect there like Asante Samuel Jr, or Aaron Robinson would have been a better pick. They could have even taken Azeez Ojulari and that would have been a better fit. Overall, the Cowboys are having a pretty bad draft right now in my opinion. 

- I did not mind the Osa Odighizuwa pick since they did need help up front on their defensive line. They took him a tad earlier than I would have, but there was a run on tackles in that range so I understand why they jumped on him. Had they taken an offensive lineman here I would have probably liked the pick more. Then they went down a ways in the 3rd round to take a big reach on a frail, thin, and tall corner in Nashon Wright. No one had him on their radars at all and even the analysts on the draft desks had to scramble for tape on him. He along with Kelvin Joseph were too huge reaches that are not going to help out their secondary anytime soon. They also reached to take Chauncey Golston in between those picks in the 3rd round. He was another late round option who they could have had later. I doubt he helps any right away for a team that needs to win now with their overpriced and aging roster. 

- Later in the draft they had two actually great selections in Jabril Cox and Israel Mukuamu. I actually like Cox more than Parsons thanks to Cox being more mature, experienced, and a tad bit more of a clean prospect in terms of awareness. He should be the leader of the defense in a year or two. What this tells me though is that Vander-Esch is probably gone and I would not be shocked if Jaylon Smith is cut soon too. Mukuamu is another bigger corner, but I have more faith in the stronger athlete to pan out over the frail Wright. He also has a little more experience and has the potential to play at safety as well. They took another big red flag prospect in Josh Ball who comes in with a lot of off field issues with domestic violence and other issues. I am surprised anyone touched him, but no wonder the team that took in Greg Hardy brought him in. He might help their offensive line, but I am giving it an F just due to his character concerns. I also did not understand the Fehoko selection. He is a fine receiver, but he will never find the playing field at their only position of great strength on their roster. 

- In the end this is a signature bad draft by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. This draft has his fingerprints all over it. Occasionally, his son Stephen seems to take over and they actually have a pretty good haul like in 2014 and 2016. Then there are others like this where Jerry goes after CeeDee Lamb, and Randy Gregory. Lamb is fine, but not needed on this roster. While Gregory had a ton of red flags. I do think Parsons could play, but fit I am not sure of. While Parsons, Ball, and Joseph all come with big character concerns. Overall, this is one of my least favorite drafts of the 2021 Draft.