Dallas Cowboys start New Year with new defense in 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

Heading into the 2020 season, the front office in Dallas finally addressed one of their biggest roster holes — the defensive tackle position. The Cowboys added both Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe which had fans excited about the D-line finally being complete. Unfortunately, neither signing worked out.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

McCoy was injured early in camp and subsequently was released. Poe made the opening day roster and was a starter but lasted just seven games. The veteran recorded seven tackles before being released once the coaching staff admitted he wasn’t a great fit and moved on.

If there was anything positive about these failed moves, it would be that the Cowboys are finally ready to invest some decent capital into the position. That’s what happens here as they take a massive nose tackle with their second-round pick in LSU’s Tyler Shelvin.

Listed at 6-3 and 362 pounds, Shelvin opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft after breaking out in 2019 for the Tigers. As a sophomore, he was a monster in the running game — which is a major weakness for Dallas right now.

The knock on Shelvin is that he won’t offer much in terms of pass rush, which limits his ability to play on third-downs. In Dallas, that won’t be a major issue. They have players such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith who have shifted inside on passing downs.

That means they have the guys who can get after the quarterback, what they don’t have is that guy who can force teams into those passing situations on third down. That’s where Shelvin comes in, which makes this a fantastic pick for what they need.