Dallas Cowboys: 2021 7-Round Mock Draft (November Edition)

Dallas Cowboys: Pick 2

Round 2, Pick 35

SAF

Paris Ford

It’s long been known, the Dallas Cowboys simply do not value the safety position as much as the rest of the NFL. They have repeatedly passed over highly rated prospects at safety, only to settle for lesser players at positions they see as more important. That’s why, despite the immense need at the safety position, this pick right here is far from a safe bet.

But the Dallas Cowboys are not in their typical situation at safety. The situation they bring into the 2021 offseason is downright dire. Xavier Woods, their only somewhat credible safety on the roster, is expected to leave in free agency, meaning Dallas doesn’t need just one safety – but two starting safeties this offseason.

Even if they address it in free agency, they can’t afford to kick the can into the later rounds of the draft. They need to find a good solution and they need to find it in the top-100. Besides, when has free agency worked out for them at safety? The past two seasons they’ve cut their prize free agent signing at safety (George Iloka in 2019 and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2020). Do we have any faith they’ll find a solution on the free agent heap this time around?

Paris Ford represents the top of the free agent class at safety. At 6-foot-0 and 190lbs, he’s only modestly sized (hence his availability in Round 2) but he plays like a star and is about as physically imposing a safety there is in this class.

He opted out the 2020 season so his draft stock today will probably be his draft stock on draft day. That makes projections a bit easier.

https://twitter.com/Pitt_FB/status/1317518236313808901

Ford is fearless against the run and crashes without hesitation to the ball. He’s fast with quick reactions and has the range to cover the backend in Dallas’ demanding Cover 3/Cover 1 looks. He’s a Day 1 starter and instant upgrade to Xavier Woods. He’s a hawk.