The Dallas Cowboys offensive line had serious issues in 2023 – especially when it came to the running game.
Those issues must be addressed, especially if we’re going to get back to pounding the ball. Which means three players who started games last year will be gone.
The list includes a name that has put in a lot of solid work throughout his career in Dallas.
But Father Time has caught up with him and it has shown the last four years.
Goodbye, Mr. Smith
Tyron Smith (Left Tackle), Tyler Biadasz (Center), and Chuma Edoga (Guard) will all become unrestricted free agents this spring.
All three need to be playing somewhere else this fall.
Smith is the toughest to part with. He has started every game he played in from 2011 through 2023.
But the last time he played in every game of a single season was back in 2015 – Tony Romo’s last year as a starter.
In 2020 he only played in two games. In 2021 he played in 11 games and followed that up with just four games in 2022.
Last year he played in 13 of the Cowboys’ 17 games.
Unless he’s willing to take a significant pay cut, his injury history makes him too much of a risk. That money can be spent elsewhere more wisely.
Both Edoga and Biadasz struggled at times in 2023. Undrafted free agent T.J. Bass easily outclassed Edoga in his rookie year.
And Brock Hoffman blocked like a beast when he saw action.
He could replace Biadasz at center and instantly improve the blocking for the Cowboys’ running backs.
Holding The Line
Tyler Smith and Zack Martin are set for a few years, leaving only Tyron Smith’s slot to be filled.
Tyler Smith could slide to left tackle, leaving Terence Steele to either improve or get replaced. Matt Waletzko could be an option there.
It would be hard to pay Steele the money he’s getting as a backup. But Steele’s play in 2023 was just barely north of abysmal.
The Cowboys have Asim Richards, Josh Ball, Dakoda Shipley, and Earl Bostick all waiting in the wings.
No matter how much his contract is overpaying him, if he can’t produce he needs to be the richest man on the bench.
Drafting Smith’s Replacement
Of course, the draft is always an option. The problem is our draft pick cupboard is lacking.
The Cowboys have the #24 picks in the first three rounds, and in the seventh round.
Dallas will not have a fourth round pick in 2024 – barring trades. The have two compensatory picks – one each in the fifth and sixth rounds.
They also have the Raiders’ seventh round pick.
With all the positions of need on the roster, making those first three picks count is key.
But if the timing is right, and he remains on the board, I’m looking at Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga as a target at tackle.
Fuaga is a 6-6, 334-pound manster – no, I did not just have a stroke, I said manster. He’s just what I want in an offensive lineman to run the ball behind.
Alabama’s J.C. Latham at 6-6, 360 pounds is also a nice possibility.
I’d have included Georgia’s Amarius Mims (6-7, 240) but you know how the Philadelphia Eagles love drafting Georgia players.
They’ll probably trade up and take him in the first round.
Free Agent Shopping
There are a few free agents out there and this might be an option that has merit after the draft. If we can’t land a prospect in April, we hit the market.
But again, we want size on the line. Because we’re going to shove our way to the Super Bowl.
In case you missed Sunday’s games – especially the AFC Championship game – all four teams moved the ball downfield early with the run game.
It’s old school football and it still works. We’re going to make it work in Dallas too.
