After a trade back with a division rival, Dallas selects Micah Parsons
The Cowboys have made no secret about their desire to add defenders during the draft, and had their eyes on cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II. But they were thwarted by the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, who took Horn and Surtain, respectively, in the two slots before their initial selection.
Making the trade within the division is a bit tricky, but the expectation was the New York Giants at No. 11 would have selected Smith, so the Cowboys were able to add an extra third-round selection, giving them five picks inside the top 100.
Without further moves, the Cowboys will have picks Nos. 44, 75, 84 and 99 in the second and third rounds, giving them more chances to add to a defense that allowed a franchise-record 473 points in 2020 and have a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn.
Parsons opted out last season, but his arrival coincides with the retirement of another Penn State linebacker, Sean Lee.
