FRISCO, Texas — The 2021 NFL draft is just days away. Team personnel are finalizing boards and prospect evaluations as the three-day event nears. After analyzing potential candidates for Dallas’ first-round pick, it is time to break down talented candidates for the team’s second-round selection at No. 44: Richie Grant, Nick Bolton, and Levi Onwuzurike.
Richie Grant | Safety | UCF
Strengths
As a three-year starter at UCF, the Knights used Grant interchangeably- single-high safety, man coverage from the slot, and as a box safety. His primary role is free safety. During his productive collegiate career, Grant notched 291 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, 29 passes defensed, and 10 interceptions in 33 games. He led the team in tackles twice, with 109 in 2018 and 72 in 2020.
Grant plays with incredible instincts and high football IQ. He forces turnovers and impacts ballgames. Showcases great vision and ball-hawk skills. He covers ground and flies downhill in relentless pursuit vs. the run, earning praise as the highest run support safety per PFF. Plays with consistent effort, disrupts screen games, can abruptly redirect angles, and does a tremendous job reading the quarterback’s eyes. Grant is projected to be a premiere single-high safety at the next level.
Weaknesses
Grant is older than most prospects, becoming a 24-year-old rookie. The maturity and experience are certainly a plus but his shelf life in the NFL will not be as long as the more traditional, younger players entering the draft. In terms of physical growth, there is not much room for development which can either be a pro or con to teams depending on the desired frame. In addition, there is room for refinement as a tackler. Needs to improve at wrapping guys up and his lack of experience in man-to-man can lend to hesitant route recognition/reaction.
He would bolster the Cowboys’ secondary and would add to the competition for a starting role. Donovan Wilson emerged as a physical strong safety in 2020 for Dallas and Grant would add to the team’s depth including Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Jayron Kearse, Reggie Robinson II, and Darian Thompson.
Nick Bolton | Linebacker | Missouri
Bolton was a two-year starter for Missouri at weak side linebacker in Ryan Walter’s scheme. He led the team in tackles the last two seasons, racking up 107 in 2019 and 95 in 2020. The Frisco, Texas native concluded his collegiate career with 224 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 15 passes defensed, and two interceptions over a three-year span.
Strengths
Bolton possesses outstanding anticipation vs. the run. He accelerates through contact with a high motor. Disruptive in run fits and showcases tremendous range and aggression. Quickly reacts to pulls with stellar instincts. He diagnoses offenses and responds immediately with purposeful pursuit. Projected to be a three-down linebacker at the next level.
Weaknesses
Not as big and long as other prospects, which can hinder his tackling at times. He can get low on tackles and not wrap up opponents. In addition, Bolton needs to improve his eye discipline in zone coverage. Can get stuck looking at the QB’s eyes and not pay attention to the action around him.
Overall, his intuition and mentality would be an upgrade to the Cowboys’ linebacker room. With Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith starting, Bolton would add productive depth alongside Keanu Neal, Tarell Basham, Luke Gifford, and Francis Bernard. The LB unit underperformed in 2020, specifically against the run, and Bolton would help solidify the middle of Dan Quinn’s defense.
Levi Onwuzurike | Defensive Tackle | Washington
Onwuzurike was a 2020 opt out and two-year starter for the Huskies in their multiple front. He primarily lined up at nose tackle but is better suited to play as a 4-3, three-technique with his ability to fly into gaps and disrupt. Throughout his collegiate career, Onwuzurike amassed 95 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks. His stats may not wow but that is because he often occupied blocks across from the center and created opportunities for teammates.
Strengths
Onwuzurike is violent and consistently wins his one-on-one matchups in the trenches. He possesses solid lateral quickness, has great contact control, and contains screens. Insanely quick get off and has a great ball radar. He is able to get off double teams and has the ‘team-first’ mentality that coaches vie for. Rushes with power and can effectively disrupt offensive game plans from multiple gaps with his agility.
Weaknesses
Never had more than three sacks in a season to build a consistent resume but played out of position at Washington. The desire to make a play could backfire at times. Occasionally vacated his primary gap which would result in more space for the runner. Can struggle if his first move does not work and desperation ensues. Needs to improve his pad level in the NFL.
Onwuzurike is projected to be a late first or early second-round selection. The Cowboys have the 44th pick in the second-round. The team can either move up to get him, but it will cost them. Or Dallas can wait to see who is available. Last year, Dallas could not have imagined Trevon Diggs would still be on the board in the second-round, or that Neville Gallimore would be in the third. But drafts are unpredictable. The Cowboys’ finished 31st in run defense a year ago and the club is looking to boost physicality up front. Onwuzurike would bring penetration from the interior and add tremendous depth to Dan Quinn’s 4-3. Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill are the likely starting candidates, and he would add competition to the unit alongside Antwaun Woods, Carlos Watkins, and Justin Hamilton.
