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Dallas Cowboys 2021 7-round Mock Draft: Michael Gallup Traded?

By Brian Martin

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Today we’re officially one month away from the kickoff of the 2021 NFL Draft and things are already starting to heat up. Just this past Friday we saw the San Francisco 49ers make a move to land the third overall pick and the Philadelphia Eagles trade out of the Top 10. Who knows what else will happen between now and April 29, but one things for sure the big event can’t get here soon enough.

With the shakeup within the Top 10 and the Dallas Cowboys recent offseason additions I thought it would be a good time to do another seven-round mock draft for the Cowboys. Dallas has done a pretty good job of filling holes to the roster, so they can pretty much stick to their board and draft accordingly. That also frees them up to be a little more aggressive if they so choose.

For this exercise I used Draft Network’s mock draft simulator except for the hypothetical Michael Gallup Draft Day trade. Let’s take a look at how things played out…

Round 1, Pick 15 – CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Jaycee Horn
South Carolina Gamecocks CB Jaycee Horn

*TRADE* Patriots send 1.15, 2.46 for Cowboys 1.10

New England picked up the phone and wanted to move up five spots to select WR Jaylen Waddle and I gladly accepted their offer. Not only do the Dallas Cowboys pick up an extra second-round pick in this trade, but it also keeps a talented WR out of the hands of either the Giants or Eagles. And surprisingly enough, the player I was targeting at 10 was still there at 15.

Jaycee Horn is an absolute dog in the passing game and doesn’t give an inch to anybody. His attitude, physicality, and versatility sets him apart from any other CB in the 2021 draft class and his size/speed/length combo make him a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s system. He is a plug-and-play player as a rookie from Day 1 and immediately upgrades Dallas’ secondary.

Round 2, Pick 44 – EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

Ronnie Perkins
Oklahoma Sooners EDGE Ronnie Perkins

Ronnie Perkins would be a great fit for Dan Quinn’s 4-3 defensive scheme. He’s not going to wow anybody with his athleticism, but this guy is the definition of a football player. He has good get off with excellent length and power. He’s also a stout run defender and relentless as a pass rusher. He’ll likely be a rotational player as a rookie, but could earn a starting job as early as Year 2.

Round 2, Pick 46 – LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky

Jamin Davis
Kentucky Wildcats LB Jamin Davis

The Dallas Cowboys have surprisingly done next to nothing to upgrade or help the LB position this offseason except sign a hybrid S/LB in Keanu Neal. With concerns with both Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch I decided to take matters in my own hands and draft Jamin Davis to rectify the problem. He’s an athletic LB with great range and length and has the versatility to play all three positions. He is an ascending player with Darius Leonard-like talent.

Round 3, Pick 65 – S Richie Grant, UCF

Richie Grant
UCF Knights S Richie Grant

*TRADE* Cowboys Trade WR Michael Gallup to Jacksonville for 3.65

(No player trades on Draft Network. Completely hypothetical)

Okay, let me hear it… I know many of you will hate the idea of trading away Michael Gallup, but in doing so I was able to land an impactful defensive player to upgrade Dallas’ secondary in FS Richie Grant. And honestly, I think this is a win-win trade for both teams.

Jacksonville has a ton of draft capital and salary cap space this year to trade/sign a young, talented WR like Michael Gallup. He’d immediately be the best WR on their roster and gives their new rookie QB Trevor Lawrence a proven big, physical target in the passing game.

For the Cowboys they are able to trade a player who’s more than likely not in their future plans and receive better compensation then letting him walk next season for a compensatory pick. Making this trade now also nets them an upgrade and long-term solution at the free safety position. Like I said before… It’s a win-win for both organizations.

Round 3, Pick 75 – WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina

Dyami Brown
North Carolina Tar Heels WR Dyami Brown

I know many of you are probably still upset I traded away Michael Gallup, but hopefully you’re less so by my decision to replace him with WR Dyami Brown. He is the kind of true vertical threat Dallas’ offense hasn’t had in quite some time. Gallup was deceptive at threatening a defense deep, but Brown is the real deal. He would not only add an entire new dimension to the Cowboys passing game, but has the potential to take it to an entirely different level as well.

Round 3, Pick 99 – DT Alim McNeill, NC State

Alim McNeill
NC State Spartans DT Alim McNeill

If the Dallas Cowboys only add one DT in the NFL Draft I’m really hoping it’s Alim McNeill. There’s not many guys his size (6’2″, 315) who can move the way he does. He’s an excellent run defender who constantly sets and resets the line of scrimmage and offers a little bit as a pass rusher as well. His addition would go a long ways in upgrading Dallas’ embarrassing run defense from a season ago.

Round 4, Pick 115 – OT D’Ante Smith, East Carolina

D'Ante Smith
East Carolina OT D’Ante Smith

Signing Ty Nsekhe upgrades Dallas’ swing tackle position in 2021, but doesn’t do anything for them long-term. It’s probably time to invest in a potential replacement for Tyron Smith and D’Ante Smith has the talent and skill set to be that guy. He’s an ascending player with long arms (35 1/4″) and starting potential in a year or two who opened a lot of eyes with his play at the Senior Bowl.

Round 4, Pick 122 – OL Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame

Robert Hainsey
Notre Dame Fighting Irish OL Robert Hainsey

*TRADE* Cowboys send 4.138, 5.179 to Patriots for 4.122

Back to back offensive lineman!? You bet! Robert Hainsey is a do it all OL who proved he is capable of playing almost anywhere on the offensive line at the Senior Bowl. He’s probably best if kicked inside to guard or center due to his 32 inch arms, but proved he’s capable playing on the outside at right tackle during his days at Notre Dame as well. He not only provides much-needed depth for the Cowboys, but his versatility could prove to be invaluable.

Round 6, Pick 192 – LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State

Justin Hilliard
Ohio State LB Justin Hilliard

Justin Hilliard is a depth LB prospect the Cowboys should target in the later portions of the NFL Draft. He will carve out a role as a special teams contributor early in his career and could compete for the starting SAM LB position as well. His effort and physicality will be something the coaching staff will fall in love with and his potential growth is definitely something worth developing.

Round 7, Pick 227 – WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas

Jaelon Darden
North Texas Mean Green WR Jaelon Darden

There aren’t many sub 5’8″ WRs who have succeeded in the NFL after being drafted, which is the only reason why I think Jaelon Darden (5’7″) is still available at this point in the draft. I believe he’s one of the most exciting receivers in this year’s draft class and also one of the most underrated. He could be a more dynamic version of Cole Beasley with the Cowboys out of the slot and contribute on special teams as a return man as well.

Round 7, Pick 238 – DB Tre Norwood, Oklahoma

Tre Norwood
Oklahoma Sooners DB Tre Norwood

Tre Norwood is an intriguing and versatile defensive back prospect who could provide some much-needed depth to Dallas’ secondary as a chess piece type of weapon. During his time at Oklahoma he proved he can play any position on the backend of the defense. He played out of the slot and outside CB as well as a free safety and strong safety. That kind of versatility could prove to be invaluable.

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Brian Martin

Level C2/C3 quadriplegic. College graduate with a bachelors degree in sports and health sciences-concentration sports management. Sports enthusiast. Dallas Cowboys fanatic. Lover of life with a glass half-full point of view.

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