Dallas Cowboys secure the edge in way too early 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

The Dallas Cowboys selection of CeeDee Lamb was meant with almost unanimous praise. They were one of the few teams that didn’t let their roster needs dictate their hand when making their first selection — which is something they have been guilty of in the past. For examples of this, see Taco Charlton in 2017 and Trysten Hill in 2019.

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Having said that, the decision to take a wideout did mean they were forgoing a day one talent at either defensive end or cornerback. With those two spots their greatest needs by far, it was a risk but one they were willing to take.

Dallas did wind up doing fine at cornerback with Trevon Diggs still on the board in the second round but they didn’t take an edge rusher until Round 5 when they selected Utah’s Bradlee Anae. With that being the case, they’re going to lean heavily on Tyrone Crawford, Aldon Smith, and Dorance Armstrong this season across from DeMarcus Lawrence. That could be enough to get them through the 2020 season, but in 2021, they need to find some help on the line.

For that reason, they end up with Carlos Basham from Wake Forest in this mock but don’t worry, this isn’t the same thing as when they reached for Charlton. Basham is a massive player at 6-foot-5 and 275-pounds and like Lawrence, he’s skilled as both a pass rusher and run stopper.

He won’t jump off the tape as an overly explosive athlete but he’s a player who can win with a variety of moves and will give the Cowboys a great option on the right side of their D-line.