With the 2021 NFL Draft just over a month away, Mel Kiper Jr. released his second mock draft, sending the Dallas Cowboys some much-needed help at the cornerback spot in the form of Alabama's Patrick Surtain II.
Surtain is Kiper's second-rated corner behind Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley and the 15th overall player on his NFL Draft big board.
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"I was down to offensive line or cornerback for Dallas, and with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis likely to leave in free agency, I see corner as the bigger need," Kiper said in the mock. "The Cowboys were terrible on defense last season, and new coordinator Dan Quinn has a ways to go to turn it around. Surtain on one side with former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs on the other is a great way to start. The Dak Prescott decision looms large on the Cowboys' offseason, but I expect him to get franchise tagged or sign a long-term deal."
The 6-foot-2 200-pound junior finished his Alabama career with 111 total tackles, 25 pass deflections, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
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Surtain II was also mocked to the Cowboys by The Athletic's Dane Brugler earlier this month. 105.3 the Fan's Dalton Miller discussed Surtain, as well as Farley in the interview below.