2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots grab Zach Wilson, Bears roll with Kyle Trask

Things have, to put it lightly, not gone the way the Dallas Cowboys planned this season. But if anything, it’s proven two things: Jerry Jones needs to pay Dak Prescott and invest draft capital in the defense.

That’s why Patrick Surtain II is the obvious pick here now that the ‘Boys have a top-five pick. The Alabama cornerback checks every box in terms of his physical makeup and how he plays the position to be a shutdown player that the Cowboys simply lack right now in coverage.

Some people have floated the notion of the Falcons taking a quarterback in the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft but you won’t see that from me. Matt Ryan isn’t a spring chicken but he’s still a top-12 quarterback in the league. The defense is a much bigger issue and someone like Micah Parsons could change the scope in a huge way. Another opt-out for 2020, the Penn State star has range against the run and in coverage and can be a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses.

Another quarterback finally comes off the board and it should be no surprise that it’s the Washington Football Team making the move. They benched Dwayne Haskins this season and Kyle Allen clearly isn’t a long-term answer — but North Dakota State’s Trey Lance might be. Uber-athletic and blessed with a rocket arm, he seems to be a player that Ron Rivera would love and know how to both cultivate and maximize in the nation’s capital.

Though it’s not even been a full half-season, it seems the Chargers hit on Justin Herbert. The rookie quarterback has come on strong early in his career. But Los Angeles needs to protect their asset better, which starts at tackle.

Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood is a player who may not be the most technically refined but that you clearly want on your team if you’re an NFL executive or coach. He plays with fire and leadership in addition to great athletic traits, which should serve him well and make the Chargers comfortable in him being a top-10 pick.