Dallas Cowboys draft picks 2021: Round-by-round selections
Here is a 2021 NFL draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the Dallas Cowboys:
Round 1 (No. 12 overall, from 49ers through Dolphins and Eagles) - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: Dallas drops two spots after missing out on Jaycee Horn (Panthers) and Patrick Surtain II (Broncos) to add Parsons to what was the worst defense in franchise history in 2020. With Sean Lee retiring and former first-round LB Leighton Vander Esch possibly entering his final season with the team, Jerry Jones and Co. reload at linebacker – and Parsons might arguably be the most impactful defender in this draft. Draft tracker
Round 2 (44) - Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky: And Dallas begins repairing last year's sieve-like pass defense, Joseph now paired outside with 2020 second-rounder Trevon Diggs. Joseph's exceptional athleticism should serve him well as he adapts to the NFL. Draft tracker
Round 3 (75) - Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA: Could compete for a starting spot given state of Dallas' interior line. Odighizuwa notched 10½ sacks over his past three seasons and can get slippery in the gaps. Draft tracker
Round 3 (84, from Colts through Eagles) - Chauncey Golston, DE, Iowa: Dallas' defensive-themed draft continues with Golston, who had 27 TFLs over the past three seasons. Draft tracker
Round 3 (99, compensatory) - Nahshon Wright, CB, Oregon State: He picked off five passes over the past two seasons. He might need to add some weight to a 6-4, 183-pound frame, but his physique will clearly make him problematic as a defender once he proves he can hold up in the NFL physically. And don't forget what new Dallas DC Dan Quinn did in Seattle with similarly built Richard Sherman once upon a time. Draft tracker
Round 4 (115) - Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
I've been harsh on the Cowboys for their Day 2 performance, but LSU LB Jabril Cox is a steal. Instant impact in coverage.
— Michael Schwartz (@MikeMSchwartz) May 1, 2021
Round 4 (138, compensatory) - Josh Ball, OT, Marshall
Round 5 (179, compensatory) - Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
Round 6 (192, from Lions) - Quinton Bohanna, DT, Kentucky
Round 6 (227, compensatory) - Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
Round 7 (238) - Matt Farniok, OG, Nebraska
Dallas Cowboys' last five top draft picks:
2020 (No. 17 overall): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
2019 (No. 58 overall): Trysten Hill, DT, Central Florida
2018 (No. 19 overall): Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
2017 (No. 28 overall): Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
2016 (No. 4 overall): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
2021 NFL draft: Team-by-team picks
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Cowboys | Eagles | Giants | Washington
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
If you enjoy talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys picks in 2021 NFL draft: Round-by-round selections for Dallas