Dallas Cowboys: 7-Round mock draft readies team for playoff return

This simulation had Daviyon Nixon still on the board early in the third round, which may not be the case when Day 2 rolls around in the actual 2021 NFL Draft. But if the Iowa product is there for the Cowboys, they would be foolish to not nab him considering their long-standing need for an interior pass-rusher who can line up at the 3-technique and make noise with penetration.

Nixon flashed elite potential for the Hawkeyes as he’s able to use his combination of ideal length and plus-athleticism to overwhelm interior offensive linemen and make his way into the backfield. He still needs development in terms of his pass-rushing arsenal and with the nuances of the position but his upside is tremendous. He’s a perfect third-round pick for Dallas as they try to continue shoring up the defense.

After the decision to not bring back Aldon Smith, the Cowboys have a need for edge depth. They still believe DeMarcus Lawrence is a franchise defensive end and the team is still holding out hope Randy Gregory can stay on the field and realize his potential. But that doesn’t help the rotation overall and they need a player like Ronnie Perkins to come into the mix and make a serious impact.

Perkins has top-end raw talent and versatility with the ability to play on the edge and slot inside in sub-package situations as a 5-technique. He has great burst off the line and his a strong hand-fighter. Where he needs coaching is simply with his discipline as both a run defender and pass-rusher as he often seems to be too eager to make a play as opposed to making the smart play. Overall, though, the potential is obvious for him to be an impact defender at a position of need.