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FRISCO, TX — Another year, another need of the Dallas Cowboys to figure out what their offensive line will look like for the future. This was the situation before future first-ballot Hall of Famer Zack Martin made the decision to call it a career, but that's a story for the next episode of this series — when I focus in on the offensive guards and center.
Today, the conversation is about offensive tackles, though.
Tyler Guyton was acquired by way of a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he had an up-and-down season marred by injury and penalties, and he'll need to get into the lab early with offensive line coach Conor Riley and offensive coordinator (former offensive line coach) Klayton Adams to make sure his sophomore season is a much more impressive one.
Terence Steele looked markedly better during the back half of the season, shades of regaining his top form, but what about the glaring lack of depth at the position entering this year's free agency spree? And will that drive the Cowboys to address it now to avoid having to use another premium pick on it in April??
Let's take a look at who's available, and who could make sense for Dallas.
[FYI: *Be sure to check out the entire ‘What’s Next?*' series as a primer to "Open Market".]
Chuma Edoga: Going into last spring, the Cowboys had no clue who would be the successor to Edoga at swing tackle and/or who would take the mantle put down by Tyron Smith, leaving the initial plan as Edoga re-signing a one-year deal to become the bridgegap for the latter. But, in April, they used a first-round pick on Tyler Guyton, effectively leading them to change course before the regular season got underway by tossing the LT1 keys to the rookie.
Edoga went on to spend a lot of time on injured reserve, returning and landing some starts as Guyton battled injury, and there could be a spot for the veteran on Schottenheimer's O-line in some capacity, unless Klayton Adams and Conor Riley have other ideas in free agency.
What's Out There:
Note: These players will be unrestricted on March 13, barring a newly-signed deal with their incumbent team prior to that date, and legal tampering can not begin until March 11.
Tyron Smith: I mean, who'd say no? I'm sure someone would, but hear me out. Smith, a Cowboys' legend and future first-ballot Hall of Famer was able to stay on the field for the New York Jets for a total of 10 starts in 2024. That's more than enough to justify bringing him back to Dallas to finish his illustrious career and to begin the best possible mentoring program for Guyton as well.
Having probably one more year left in his tank, Smith will consider all of his options and returning to a Jets team that is back to square one at quarterback and head coach, or picking up and moving to a third city in as many years with the mileage he has on his frame — versus returning home to an ovation by the fanbase — feels like an easy call … at least to me, anyway.
Of the veterans set to his free agency this year, Smith makes the most sense, including financially, with a market value of roughly $7 million (per Spotrac), so bring the cyborg home.
Mekhi Becton: This is one I'm bullish on for a couple of reasons, and not simply because he's coming off of a Super Bowl victory with the enemy in Kelly Green. The first being that he's still just 25 years old, and the second is his ability to be a starter in the league and that means, by default, he'd instantly be the best swing tackle in the league if things panned out that way as training camp rolled along. Now, why am I bearish on it? The cost will likely be too prohibitive after using the first-round pick on Guyton and, thus, it wouldn't make financial sense, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Becton here.
Trent Brown: Cost would be less of a factor with Brown than with Becton, considering the former is working to return from a torn patellar tendon suffered in September 2024 that ended his season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe they'd look to shoot for a mulligan with him, but it's an option the Cowboys should at least be willing to explore at swing tackle. With a market value of only $1.2 million, amounting to a veteran minimum salary, the 31-year-old boasted 24 starts in his previous two seasons and has 96 in all on his NFL resume. Still capable former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who would be cost-effective and help soften the need in the upcoming draft equals the Cowboys' type.
Honorable mention: Dan Moore, Dillon Radunz and Patrick Mekari - All in the conversation at tackle on this year's open market, but each are looking for second NFL contracts that will price them out of the Cowboys' range seeing as, again, they're not looking for a starter and, as such, won't pay starter money.
