FRISCO, TEXAS — One of the most important decisions facing the Dallas Cowboys when the latest offseason began was the future of left tackle Tyron Smith. The future Hall of Famer made a comeback for the 2023 season. This was largely due to head coach Mike McCarthy's practice regimen, which forced him to practice very little, which ultimately led to Smith taking his talents to the New York Jets. . Bigger offer.
His departure helped further disrupt the offensive line heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, with starting center Tyler Biadasz, who followed former Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, also packing up and leaving.
Don't get me wrong. If Dallas can't find the right answer quickly in the offensive trenches, there will be a problem. Because it requires not just a body on the field, but a body that can consistently move other bodies.
And that creates a tremendous level of urgency for this year's draft.
In our new series, “High Low,” we'll be digging deeper into this, with each edition focusing on a different position group heading into draft week.
Odds: very high
- Tyler Smith: The million-dollar question surrounding Smith's status for the 2024 season is whether he will remain as the team's starting left guard or will be replaced at left tackle as Tyron Smith develops. The question is whether he will be transferred to Gang Green. A big deciding factor in this decision will be what the Cowboys can get away with in this year's draft, but head coach Mike McCarthy has drafted Smith to earn both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his first full appearance. He is reluctant to remove him from his position. The season is there—as it should be.
- zach martin:I told this story earlier in the offseason and I'm still intrigued as to why it hasn't been talked about, but I'll say it again because I have a feeling it will be in the near future. Planning for the post-Martin era. For years, Martin was overshadowed by the conversation as all eyes were on Tyron Smith's future, but the future Hall of Fame guard is set to turn 34 before playing in the Thanksgiving game. , that right is only secured until 2025. Everyone, please stop ignoring this.
- Terrence Steele: Steele, who secured a contract extension last September and is now fully healthy after a torn ACL that ended the 2022 season, is poised to be the Cowboys' starter at right tackle for years to come. organized. He was at his pre-injury best and was getting back into shape last season, making him a more than capable starter in the NFL, and the Cowboys at least need to worry about themselves. We have confirmed that there is. In 2024, one of the tackle positions will be revised.
- Chuuma Edga: Returning to a one-year deal for the second consecutive season, Edga appears to have shown enough ability in his first stint to convince the front office and coaching staff to reappoint him for a second time. He helped salvage an early-season pinch, forcing him to fill in at both left tackle and left guard due to several injuries across the offensive line, including Tyron Smith. But he will look much better when performing as the latter, and not only does the Cowboys still need to define the swing tackle position, but Edga is also very competitive with two rapid risers behind him. I believe that it is.
- TJ Bass, Brock Hoffman: Bass and Hoffman were the two players who rose quickly, and all things considered, they made a perfect impression as rookies. These are two undrafted talents (Hoffman to the Browns in 2022, Bass to the Cowboys in 2023) who were thrown into last season and Dallas didn't get to play. Although they performed as if they had been starters for a while, making a lot of people (hello, I'm one of many of them) think about how to get them on the field more. , they didn't have to move Tyler Smith to accomplish that goal. But with Tyler Biadasz now in Washington, assuming the Cowboys don't draft with a premium pick, the center crown could be won on trial — a clear possibility. (P.S. Remember the post-Martin era that I keep reminding you of? Look out for Bass as a successor.)
- Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko: These are the next two players expected to take on the swing tackle role in 2024. Could they be more than that? Certainly, if Richards can find a way to get one rep in his second year after being scoreless as a rookie, and Waleczko's shoulder could be his future. If only we would stop blocking promising progress. These two are former fifth-round picks who have high expectations but have yet to contribute, especially when you talk about Richards, seeing as he allowed almost no sacks on tackles during his time with the Tar Heels. I really wonder how far he can go. NFL level.
- Josh Ball, Dakoda Shepley, Earl Bostick Jr.: Ball continues to find a path to a meaningful NFL career. He's now in his third season with the Cowboys, but much of that time has been spent on injured reserve and he's struggled to perform at left and right tackle (which is why he's been replaced by Jason in 2022). Peters (signed), and the season ended there until he was moved to guard in 2023. His hip injury put him out of action in late August. With Shepley and Bostic also scratching and clawing for recognition this summer, this backup trio is trying to climb a steep hill in 2024.
Heading into the draft, the only certainties on the Cowboys' offensive line are right tackle, right guard (but only for now) and left guard (unless he moves to left tackle). They've been in this position before, drafting Tyron Smith, Zach Martin, and Travis Frederick in just four drafts.
Tyler Smith is likely the new Tyrone Smith in terms of sparking a sequel to the original script from 2011, and not necessarily taking over his specific position (we'll find out later).
As conclusion? This is a disturbing amount of uncertainty in the most important area for any football team, and should be a top priority for the Cowboys heading into play in late April.
