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

3. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

On the surface, the Cowboys have one of the best offensive tackle tandems in football with La’el Collins and Tyron Smith. However, both saw their 2020 seasons ruined by injury, with Smith undergoing surgery on a neck issue that had bothered him for several years.

The Cowboys, per Spotrac, would save over $5 million by moving on from the 30-year-old Smith and, in a year where all teams will have to deal with a shrinking salary cap, that may be an enticing option for Dallas.

Heightening the chances of the Cowboys moving on from a seven-time Pro Bowler is the strength of the tackle class at the top. Darrisaw is among the elite in that regard, possessing the size, length and athletic ability to dominate as a pass protector and in the running game.

Darrisaw was Pro Football Focus‘ highest-graded power five offensive tackle in 2020 and, among the entire offensive line class, had PFF’s fifth-best career run-blocking grade.

Injuries decimated the Cowboys upfront last year but, through drafting Darrisaw, they could give themselves a genuine successor for Smith who has the tools to keep Prescott upright and open significant holes for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in the run game.