Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Dallas Cowboys rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 16.4 (18th)
- Best ranking: 14th (CBS Sports)
- Worst ranking: 21st (NFL.com)
Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Cowboys in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 16
Player who benefited most from draft: S Donovan Wilson
Safety has been a need for years for the Cowboys, even if Wilson showed he could develop into a productive player with his ability to be around the ball. The Cowboys added three safeties in free agency in Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse, but Neal is expected to begin at linebacker, Kazee is coming off an Achilles tear and Kearse is mostly a special-teamer. The Cowboys did not select a safety in the draft but will move sixth-rounder Israel Mukuamu, a cornerback, to the position. That is good news for Wilson's standing, not just on the roster but as a starter. -- Todd Archer
Safety has been a need for years for the Cowboys, even if Wilson showed he could develop into a productive player with his ability to be around the ball. The Cowboys added three safeties in free agency in Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse, but Neal is expected to begin at linebacker, Kazee is coming off an Achilles tear and Kearse is mostly a special-teamer. The Cowboys did not select a safety in the draft but will move sixth-rounder Israel Mukuamu, a cornerback, to the position. That is good news for Wilson's standing, not just on the roster but as a starter. -- Todd Archer
NFL.com -- Rank: 21
The Cowboys were historically bad on defense last season, so it shouldn't be a surprise that America's Team used its first six draft selections on that side of the ball. Dallas was expected to target a top cornerback with its first overall pick, so you can imagine Jerry Jones' frustration when the Panthers and Broncos took Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II off the board in successive picks right in front of them. The pivot to trade back (with the Eagles!) underlined Dallas' original intentions. Of course, once upon a time, Jerrah badly wanted Paxton Lynch and ended up with Dak Prescott, so maybe this all works out for the best.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 17
The Cowboys will be right there with Washington all season long. The Cowboys drafted mostly on defense, which was the right thing to do, but they need those players to be factors right away. Dak Prescott back healthy and happy matters in a big way.
USA Today -- Rank: 14
They wisely spent their first six draft selections on defense ... though it remains to be seen how wisely they invested them given some of the characters and projects they picked.
The Athletic -- Rank: 14
Only four teams suffered worse injury luck than the Cowboys last season. Dallas now gets Dak Prescott back, and that should solve a lot of its problems, although he might need some time to get back to 100 percent.
Working in the Cowboys' favor is that they get the NFL's second-easiest schedule in terms of sportsbooks' projected win totals. But they have major questions on defense -- specifically in the secondary -- and assuming that replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn is enough to fix their issues would probably be a mistake.
Working in the Cowboys' favor is that they get the NFL's second-easiest schedule in terms of sportsbooks' projected win totals. But they have major questions on defense -- specifically in the secondary -- and assuming that replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn is enough to fix their issues would probably be a mistake.
More Dallas Cowboys pages:
- Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup
- Dallas Cowboys Snap Counts
- Dallas Cowboys Franchise Leaders
- Dallas Cowboys Draft History
- Dallas Cowboys Schedule
- Dallas Cowboys Tickets
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- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
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