While the first couple of waves of free agency have passed, it's never too late to upgrade the roster, something the Cowboys will try to do at the end of this month with the NFL Draft.
Even with that, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we'll continue the series with center Travis Frederick.
What's Been Good:
Just about everything. The Cowboys have been one of the NFL's best rushing teams for the past five seasons, with three different 1,000-yard backs running behind Frederick. Of course, Ezekiel Elliott has been great the past two years, but Darren McFadden had a career year in 2015 and DeMarco Murray set the Cowboys' rushing record for a season in 2014. Frederick not only makes the line calls but is always on point with his shotgun snaps. He's one of the fewest penalized players on the team and is considered the vocal leader of one of the best offensive lines in football.
What's Been Bad:
There really hasn't been anything bad about Frederick's game since the moment he arrived on the scene in 2013. The Cowboys had some issues in the red zone, and that can be attributed to the offensive line. Without Ezekiel Elliott in the lineup in midseason, the offense struggled as well, but again, it's hard to pinpoint that, or anything to Frederick.
2017 Highlight:
It's not easy to find a highlight for the center, but let's go with the Oct. 22 game at San Francisco. The entire line played well, and with Frederick being right in the middle of things, he deserves his share of the credit. The Cowboys rushed for a season-high265 yards and totaled 501 offensive yards – also a season high for 2017. On top of that, the Cowboys did not allow a sack and as a team, were only penalized for 36 yards.
What's Next:
The Cowboys shouldn't see much change at this position. Not only has Frederick been consistent in his play, he also stays on the field as well. The Cowboys have some question marks at just about every other spot on the line, including right guard where Zack Martin still hasn't received a new contract. Left guard is still wide open and right tackle could be as well. But there isn't any question marks at center, other than maybe Frederick rivaling a few others for best center in the NFL.
- One of the most consistent performers on the squad.
- Doesn't miss plays.
- High level of football intelligence and technique.
- Never makes those massive mistakes that costs his team opportunities for success.
- Plays with outstanding body balance and control.
- Rarely see him out of position on a block.
- Makes those around him better.
- Willing to do whatever it takes to help his teammates.
- Plenty of snaps where he assisted Jonathan Cooper and Chaz Green when they broke down.
- Outstanding at all levels of blocking.
- Came into the league as a questionable athlete but it's truly of one his strengths.
- Has been a plug and play player since day one.
