Two Cowboys starting offensive linemen are now on AFC teams, with Connor Williams defecting to the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent and La’el Collins moving to the Bengals after becoming a cap casualty. Dallas hopes to bolster this position group early in the draft.
While a proclamation to draft an offensive lineman early does not ensure this will take place, the Cowboys have not addressed the position in free agency and have their top two blockers — Zack Martin and Tyron Smith — set to turn 32 this year.
“Famous last words: We’ll get one unless [CeeDee] Lamb or [Micah] Parsons is there,” Jerry Jones said of drafting an O-lineman early, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “And then add one more to it. … I’ll accept criticism when the time comes for not knowing what we’re doing.”
This refers to the Cowboys passing on bigger needs to draft Lamb and Parsons, respectively, the past two years. While both picks worked out, the Cowboys are fairly thin up front. But the team does have elite talent in Smith and Martin. And Pro Football Focus ranked Dallas’ 2021 O-line first overall, creating an interesting decision for a Cowboys team that could conceivably field a quality first-string line without a rookie factoring in. Smith has missed at least three games in each of the past six seasons, however; he missed six in 2021.
The Cowboys have Terence Steele penciled in to replace Collins; Steele can be kept off the unrestricted free agent market until 2024. Connor McGovern‘s rookie deal runs through season’s end, giving Dallas a possible Williams replacement on a line with solidified starters in Smith, Martin and center Tyler Biadasz. The Cowboys are unlikely to add a veteran O-lineman for more than the league minimum this offseason, Gehlken adds.
Dallas hit big on first-round interior O-linemen when they last addressed the position that early, landing perennial Pro Bowlers in Martin and Travis Frederick. The Cowboys hold the No. 24 overall pick. The top three tackles — Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross — are expected to be long gone by the time the NFC East champs go on the clock, though Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning could be in range. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. slots Penning 26th and has Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green as this class’ top guard, ranking the latter as the No. 28 prospect. The Cowboys hold each of their own picks in the second and third rounds but do not possess any additional Day 2 choices.
Largely, I think Dallas does a good job drafting.
Now, free agency, extensions, coaching… That’s the problem. Lol
That ends next year with coach Payton
imo, Penning will be gone by the time #24 rolls around. There’s a bunch of teams who could draft OL in the teens after Neal/Ikwonu/Cross are gone (would not be surprised if all three were gone in the top ten). Eagles pick three times before the Cowboys do and I could see them grabbing Penning with any of those picks, especially if these reports are true and Dallas is very interested in him.
Raimann will likely be around if they’re looking for a strict tackle.
I hoping the kid from Iowa (linderbaum sp?) is still there @ 24, I think he’s probably the best fit.
Go get Trai Turner to fill/compete with McGovern for the other OG spot. Only cost $3M last year, can’t imagine he will be much different than that.
anyone with a brain knows that PFF ranking is absolutely garbage. Dallas’ OL after the first 8 weeks, was not good, on any level. Even Tyron Smith’s play really came down the last few games.
I am going to the doctors office for checkup tomorrow. The office is in a very busy area where parking spots are hard to come by. I want the third parking spot from the front door of the office. I’m going to alert the media of my plans. Wish me luck.
Jerry has a little Green Goblin going on in that picture. Creepy.
He also has a little Pelosi going on in that photo
I’m this photo Jerry looks like on of those weirdly effeminate Disney elephants who just saw a mouse
Nothing they do matters unless they address their grease fire at qb.