The Dallas Cowboys had a huge draft this year. And by huge, I mean they drafted a lot of players. In all, they added 11 new players to their team in hopes to revamp their roster. They started the draft with ten picks, and many expected a couple of those to be packaged together to move up and pick better players, but the Cowboys ended up acquiring one more when they made a trade with the rival Philadelphia Eagles to move back two spots in the first round. The team went heavy on defense with eight of their 11 picks spent on defensive players.
Which of these players will make the biggest impact their rookie season? Let's countdown my list to find which player I believe will show out the most in 2021.
11. Israel Mukuamu - Sixth Round (227th overall)
It became apparent that the Cowboys were looking for a particular type of player as South Carolina's Israel Mukuamu was the team's second lanky cornerback selection of the draft. He's got nice recovery speed at 4.37, but his length and footwork offer terrible change of direction skills. He'll be groomed to press early in Cover 2 or sit back and close in Cover 3, so this new defense will have a place for him once he's ready.
Prediction: With an already crowded CB group, don't expect Mukuamu to make the final cuts as he'll likely be destined to the practice squad first. Zero contribution this year.
10. Matt Farniok - Seventh Round (238th overall)
The Cowboys have a lot of depth along the offensive line, but that never stops them from adding quality players. The makeup of Nebraska's Matt Farniok was too good to plass up. He has the size, he has the smarts, and he just so happens to play all three offensive line positions. He's not a player who's going to climb the depth chart, but he has the potential to be a good depth guard for the future.
Prediction: Small chance to make the final roster, but likely won't. He'll be added to the practice squad and may even be promoted to the active roster for a couple games.
9. Josh Ball - Fourth Round (138th overall)
Josh Ball will have the same obstacle Farniok has in terms of seeing action as there are just too many able bodies in front of him. The Marshall tackle possesses more physical traits as his size and athletic ability offers a lot more upside. With the proper development, Ball could work himself into the team's swing tackle position or possibly a starting spot when Tyron Smith eventually hangs it up.
Prediction: He won't be ready, but his draft price will secure him a roster spot. Don't expect to see him much, but he could get some courtesy snaps in garbage time.
8. Simi Fehoko - Fifth Round (179th overall)
In one of my favorite selections, the Cowboys got a steal when Stanford's Semi Fehoko was available in the fifth round. With a knack for stretching the field, he brings some big playmaking ability to the offense. While the team is already stacked at the wide receiver position, Fehoko isn't likely to get his number called very much early on; however, he should have a few opportunities, and don't be surprised if he makes them count. Things will open up more for him next year when Michael Gallup departs, but for now, he's mostly just a stash for later.
Prediction: He'll make the team, but won't see a lot of reps. That won't stop him from being a pet cat in preseason.
7. Jabril Cox - Fourth Round (115th overall)
The consensus among Cowboys Nation is that LSU's Jabril Cox was the biggest steal of the draft. His athleticism and outstanding skills in coverage will get him some spot duty work in Dan Quinn's system, but until he can fine tune his run-stopping skills, most of his snaps should come on special teams. The Cowboys linebacker group is stacked with an assortment of talent, so it will be difficult for Cox to make a real contribution on defense.
Prediction: Hopefully, he'll crack the starting unit sometime in the future, but for now don't expect him to be more than a special team's worker bee.
6. Quinton Bohanna - Sixth Round (192nd overall)
If there is a position on the Cowboys roster that has the best opportunity for a new player to step in and make a difference, it would be at the 1-tech defensive tackle position as that's the team's weakest spot. Of course, I don't know if they're going to find that difference-maker from a sixth-rounder, but Kentucky's Quinton Bohanna has as good as shot as any to land the starting gig. After releasing Antwaun Woods, the team has very little options at the 1-tech spot as free agents Brent Urban and Calvin Watkins are Bohanna's biggest competition.
Prediction: He has an outside shot to earn a starting spot, but regardless, he should get plenty of opportunities to compete.
5. Chauncey Golston - Third Round (84th overall)
The Iowa defensive lineman was one of my favorite players to watch on film, and I was super excited when the Cowboys called his name. Golston isn't a player that wows you with strength or any athletic traits for that matter, but has good size and shows very nice fundamentals and both those equate to a player who is consistently right in the thick of things. The most enjoyable element to his game is that he's just very aware of the action going on around him and that is why he has such an extensive resume of great plays in college.
Prediction: He'll be in the mix, and fans will want more, but he'll need to maximize is pass rushing skills to earn any significant playing time early.
4. Nahshon Wright - Third Round (99th overall)
It's okay to be angry when the Cowboys take some cornerback we've never heard of to where you have to dig through your draft research sheets to find any information on him. That was the case with Oregon State's Nahshon Wright. Even though he went to my alma mater, this was certainly a head-scratcher pick, but the Cowboys player personnel department saw things they liked and had to have their guy. If training camp is any indication, it's looking more and more like Dallas is on to something with him because he is playing well. He has no long speed or short area quickness, but he does read plays well and uses his size to make plays on the ball.
Prediction: The Cowboys don't have a lot of depth at outside corner, so Wright should get some opportunities this year. I'm not optimistic about the results, but the team has a plan for him, and I'm crossing my fingers it works out.
3. Micah Parsons - First Round (12th overall)
When a team selects a player 12th overall, one might expect him to hold down the no. 1 spot on this list, so seeing him here should be disappointing. So, why is he so low on my list. This one is going to come down to mental processing and his ability to pick things up. A month ago, I talked about how the 2020 8th overall pick, Isaiah Simmons, had obstacles getting on the field last season. I have faith in Quinn that he will put Parsons in situations where he can utilize that great athleticism, but expect the rookie to be one of many linebackers with contributing roles on this defense.
Prediction: There might be some bumps along the way in the first part of the season, but he should start having a bigger impact down the stretch.
2. Kelvin Joseph - Second Round (44th overall)
The Kentucky star corner could end up being the most debated player of Cowboys fans this year because there will be times he will be fantastic and times he will be terrible. Joseph has both the quickness and long speed to stay with NFL receivers, but he has a little bit of gamble in him that sometimes pays off, and sometimes does not. His lack of ability to see things develop might cause him to ride the pine early on as Anthony Brown holds down the other outside corner spot opposite Trevon Diggs, but eventually Joseph will get his number called, and when he does - he won't let it go.
Prediction: He's got the talent to hold down a starting spot, but he'll need to work through some things and gain trust before getting his shot.
1. Osa Odighizuwa - Third Round (75th overall)
With promising young players like Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore already on the roster, why would the team use one of their better draft resources to select yet another 3-tech defensive tackle? Well, rather than being puzzled by the pick, it should serve to tell you what they think of Osa Odighizuwa. Misused at UCLA to where he was mostly absorbing blocks, the Cowboys have other plans for him. With intriguing 3-tech traits, his quick get-off and great length should go a long way in allowing him to be disruptive in the trenches. On the surface, there's a lot of competition for his spot, but if one of the other defensive tackles gets thrown into 1-tech duty, Osa might end up being the team's best 3-tech option.
Prediction: Midway through the season, he'll be the team's most productive rookie, and he should play well enough to hang on to that honor by seasons end.
Which rookie do you think will make the biggest impact in 2021?