Can the Dallas Cowboys offensive line be their best ever?
By Kip Gaudette
The 2016 Dallas Cowboys offensive line was largely touted as the best in the NFL. Can this year’s version be even better?
The departure of Doug Free and Ronald Leary broke up one of the greatest offensive lines in Dallas since the early 90’s Cowboys were winning Super Bowls. While it’s tempting to compare those squads decades apart, the relevant question is; can the Dallas Cowboys offensive line be better this year than last?
No one can question the dominance of the Cowboys three returning Pro-Bowlers along the offensive line. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin likely have more Pro Bowls ahead of them than behind.
Before injury in early 2016, La’el Collins was starting at guard. Collins may have been out of position, as he started at left tackle in his final two seasons at Louisiana State. He now seems primed to move to the Cowboys right tackle spot, a likely improvement over the often criticized Free.
With the need to find an above average player at guard to make this potentially the Cowboys best line ever; enter Jonathan Cooper.
Cooper appears to be Dallas’ early choice at the guard spot opposite Martin.
Cooper, a 7th overall draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, battled the injury bug in all three of his seasons with the Cardinals. Traded to the New England Patriots in 2016, Cooper suffered yet another injury which led to his release. Claimed by the Cleveland Browns, the young guard was again waived to make room for a starter returning from injury.
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To say that Cooper’s NFL career has gotten off to a poor start is an understatement. Yet the Cowboys, famously known for their reclamation projects, obviously see potential in the former top 10 pick. If Cooper can return to his pre-injury form, Dallas may find itself again with a young, dynamic, and dominate line…maybe the best they’ve ever had.