Cowboys: 3 free agents who could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans

Troy Hill, Cornerback

Here is a player whose position we talked about with Justin Simmons. With the three-wide receiver set becoming more popular so is the nickel set for defense. This means more teams are getting slot corner specialists, which is exactly who and what Troy Hill is.

Our second secondary player here on this list, there seems to be a theme here. Hill has become one of the better slot corners in the league. While it doesn’t do much by way of stopping elite wide receivers, it does allow them to match up with the faster slot wide receivers in their own division should Jalen Reagor or Terry McLaurin find themselves in the slot.

Hill should not command top-dollar and they might get away with just a one-year show-me deal in the new Dallas system.

He should be able to step in the first week and take over the slot corner role and maybe even the second corner slot. Last year was his first year starting in 16 games and he amassed 72 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass break-ups. If he was on the Cowboys last year he would have been second in tackles, tied for first in interceptions, and second in pass break-ups.

So pretty much he would have been the best overall defender on Dallas last year and could come in at a bargain price this year.

Netting Hill could give Dallas enough confidence to bypass Farley or Surtain II at the 10th slot, which at that point if an elite pass-rusher is gone I would look for them to trade down. Then maybe if they don’t sign a tight end look at Kyle Pitts, or the more interesting option if they trade down into 15th or later, Mac Jones becomes a possibility if Prescott is not signed to a long term deal.