FRISCO, Texas — As the 2021 draft draws near, two top prospect cornerbacks have been invariably linked to the Dallas Cowboys and the club’s 10th overall selection: Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn. After the Cowboys’ lackluster season on the defensive side of the ball in 2020, it is no surprise to see both their names become synonymous with the team’s first-round pick.
With many elite quarterbacks likely taken off the board early in the first round, that creates opportunities for Dallas to land the best defensive player available. Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones echoed the likelihood of the franchise going in a defensive direction on April 29 per 105.3 The Fan.
“We made no bones about it barring some very opportunistic- we certainly want to improve our defensive football team. So, certainly the top end of that draft helps us in terms of what we might see there defensively… But certainly, this should be pushing some defensive football players our direction.”
First, the need. The Cowboys lost Byron Jones in free agency to the Dolphins in 2019 and Chidobe Awuzie to the Bengals a month ago. Jourdan Lewis was resigned to a three-year deal and will compete with Anthony Brown for the starting nickel role. Apart from the promising potential of Trevon Diggs, Dallas does not have much game-impacting playmakers at corner. They are in desperate need of an upgrade.
Then, the analysis. The begging question remains, who should the Cowboys take in the first round? Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II or South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn? No doubt Dallas needs a catalyst for change in the secondary and here is a breakdown of both stars. Both come from NFL bloodlines and football runs in their veins.
Patrick Surtain II | Alabama | 6-2 | 208 lbs. |
A three-year starter at Alabama (2018-20), Surtain played both outside and inside (nickel) corner in Nick Saban’s predominately man scheme. The premiere athlete amassed 117 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, 31 passes defensed, and four interceptions. He made a mark in the SEC, allowing only four touchdowns and 46.1% completions in 41 career games played.
Strengths
If Surtain touches a receiver at the line of scrimmage for identification, it is very difficult for the pass catcher to gain an inch of separation. He is going to get physical and stab to jam at the line. The Alabama product does not bite on initial releases and is patient watching the hips of his opponent. Surtain showcases great body range and instincts on routes. He is effective against bigger wide receivers and tight ends on short/underneath routes in coverage. Shows impressive pattern matching (based on routes and release by WRs, dictates whether a defender plays man or zone). He checks all the boxes and has more of a refined technique between the two and is the most pro-ready corner.
Weaknesses
Surtain’s vertical speed is a concern. He does not possess the explosive speed to stop quick receivers deep. If he is on an island running downfield with a receiver, he struggles finishing the developing route. Surtain would not be as productive in cover one with only a single-high safety in the backfield to assist. If he loses early or is not able to get his hands on a receiver, Surtain has issues recovering.
Jaycee Horn | South Carolina | 6-1 | 205 lbs. |
A three-year starter at South Carolina (2018-20), Horn was the left cornerback in Will Muschamp’s defense. He typically traveled with the opposing team’s top receiver. During his stellar college tenure, Horn accumulated 101 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, 25 passes defensed, and two interceptions. His elite ball skills resulted in 25 passes defensed in 29 game starts.
Strengths
Horn’s aggression and competitiveness are unmatched. He plays through the football and his hip fluidity lends to him being able to mirror-and-match receivers. The South Carolina product disrupts routes with his agility and more often than not dominates at the catch point. He is smooth in-and-out of transition with little to no wasted movement.
Weaknesses
His physicality can work against him. Horn has a tendency to be grabby that draws penalties. He racked up five penalties in 2020 in seven games and was flagged 10 times in his college career. Needs to improve overall as a run defender/tackler with undiscipled pursuit and contact.
Overall, Surtain is more of the complete, finished product that head coaches and defensive coordinators vie for. He fits the desired NFL cornerback mold and is productive in both man and zone. Surtain presents the better consistent sample size over his three-year career at Alabama. He is the fundamentally sound option and the superior lockdown man corner. Both possess rare talent but Surtain has a bigger upside.
