Proceed with Caution: Cowboys can't make same swing tackle mistake
A year ago, the Cowboys found themselves in quite the dilemma. On one hand they had their generational LT under contract and eager to go. On the other hand, they had his injury history, averaging just 5.6 games over the last three seasons. When healthy, Tyron Smith was as good as there was in the NFL. Problem was he was rarely healthy.
The solution was a reworked deal which saved the team money. With any luck that money could be reinvested in a veteran backup OT who could fill in for the inevitable missed games. But since starting quality OTs are always seemingly in short supply, the Cowboys took aim a player many labeled a bust.
The Cowboys signed the maligned Chuma Edoga as the solution to their problems at LT.
Edoga, once a third-round pick, hadn’t lived up to his draft day expectations. Many wondered if he was better suited for an OG role given his struggles on the edge. The Cowboys entered the situation with an open mind because they were hoping for one of their previous mid-rounders, Josh Ball or Matt Waltezko, to make the jump.
They did not.
Instead of finding one clear solution to the problem at backup LT, they threw numbers at the issue. Nothing stuck. Waletzko, Ball and Edoga all failed in their own way to be a viable backup to Smith. Thankfully Smith had a resurgent season in 2023, only missing 4 games and keeping the damage of his absences down to a minimum.
In 2024, the Cowboys face a similar dilemma. With Smith a free agent, they are not only faced with the issue as to whether they should bring him back, but also who should they tab as his certain-to-be-used backup.
Smith had a top-five season in 2023, so as long as the terms are right, the Cowboys would be wise to bring him back. But also given his availability issues, they’d be wise to invest heavily in a backup because there’s a good chance Smith will miss more snaps than he’ll play,averaging just 503 snaps played per year since 2020.
This is not the usual OL6 situation in Dallas.
If Smith is a starter on the team, OL6 needs to be seen as a starter as well. Edoga taught the Cowboys cheap solutions don’t exist. Money or high-end draft capital needs to be spent because LT is one of the most important positions on the field and all indications are Smith will miss time.
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