Cowboys: 3 Options with the 10th Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

1. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

There are several corners the Cowboys could target with the 10th overall pick. South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn brings an impressive blend of size, athleticism, coverage versatility and instincts. Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech has perhaps the biggest upside of any corner in the class with his size, speed, ball skills, and room to grow as a prospect who has only been playing the position for a couple of seasons.

But the prospect who stands as the most well-rounded and pro-ready corner in the class is Surtain, who looks primed to follow in the footsteps of his three-time Pro Bowler father and perform to the highest standard at the highest level of the sport.

Surtain has the ideal frame and length for the position at 6ft 2in and 202 pounds and uses it to his advantage, particularly in press coverage. He is an extremely physical corner who can jam receivers at the line and turn from press and stay in excellent coverage with little difficulty.

Patient in man coverage with the recognition skills to excel in zone, Surtain’s defining trait is his composure. He rarely panics and always seems in control regardless of the situation and, despite some concern over a lack of suddenness, it is Surtain’s calm that should see him penciled in as the top cornerback on the board for a Cowboys team whose secondary has been anything but composed.

If the Cowboys’ defense is to make a jump in 2021, then they need to give serious consideration to Surtain.