The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have a long history of making deals that shake up the NFL draft—and 2021 was a prime example. That year, a first-round trade between the two NFC East rivals sent Micah Parsons to Dallas and DeVonta Smith to Philly. Both teams are hoping their latest moves will be just as impactful. Here's a breakdown of how the Cowboys' entire draft unfolded.

First Round: Caleb Downs, Safety
In my opinion, this was the best pick of the entire first round—and I was furious about it. Caleb Downs is a top-tier talent who should become a nightmare for opponents in Christian Parker's defense. He's not just an elite athlete; he has the instincts and versatility to line up everywhere: free safety, strong safety, slot cornerback, even nickel linebacker. Calling him a Swiss Army Knife feels like an insult—a knife can only hurt you so much. He's more like a Swiss Army Mech: a heat-seeking missile that can be fired from any position. Yeah, this was a fantastic pick by Dallas, and I hate them for it.

Second Round: Micah Lawrence, Edge Rusher
This is a classic case of great fit but questionable value. I wasn't as high on Lawrence relative to where he was drafted, but it's easy to see why the Cowboys fell in love with him. After trading Micah Parsons, Dallas targeted a speedy, high-motor edge defender. Lawrence wins with speed rather than power, and he can get outmuscled by stronger offensive tackles. But the Cowboys are betting on isolating him on the edge against tight ends or using him on twists and stunts to maximize his burst. Expect him to make an immediate impact.

Third Round: Another Edge Rusher
Dallas doubled down on the edge, and like Lawrence, they're banking on athletic traits. After three picks, there's a clear commitment to getting faster at every level of Christian Parker's defense.

Fourth Round: Offensive Lineman
Dallas is one of the best teams in the league at drafting and developing offensive linemen. Here, they took a chance on a big, physical player who fits their mold perfectly.

Fifth Round: Offensive Tackle
With no immediate need at offensive tackle, the Cowboys have the luxury of being patient with this pick. They can let him develop without pressure.

Later Rounds: More Defense
Dallas went defense for the fourth time in their first five selections. Anyone who follows this rivalry knows that when the Cowboys reload on defense, the Eagles better be ready. For Philadelphia fans, this draft class is a reminder that the battle for the NFC East is only getting tougher.