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Three reasons the Dallas Cowboys will draft an offensive lineman in top 100

By Brad Austin

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La'el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La'el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Doug Free’s reported retirement will force the Dallas Cowboys to spend a top 100 pick on offensive line.

Jul 30, 2015; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free (68) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) walk on to the field for the first day of training camp at River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2015; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free (68) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) walk on to the field for the first day of training camp at River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The recent news of starting right tackle Doug Free’s likely retirement has thrown the Dallas Cowboys’ draft priorities into a tailspin.

At least three defensive starting positions are in immediate need of top 150 draft talent after key free agency defections.

If no other free agents are signed, the Cowboys must draft a pass rusher, corner, and safety in the first four rounds to compete against the brutal 2017 schedule.

This was the wrong draft to add an offensive line problem to the mix. Especially when the solution demands a top 100 rookie to prevent potential catastrophe.

This was supposed to be the draft where Dallas could afford to make a top 150 splash pick at TE, WR, or RB if the player was too enticing to pass up.

Instead they’re now forced to draft OL within the first three rounds (pick 28, 60, 92).

Waiting until the fourth round (133rd pick) and beyond is too risky to find an OL with year one starting potential.

If Dallas also spends a second of their top four selections on offense, they’ll surely doom the defense to an equal or lesser product than 2016.

There are three main reasons proving this top 100 OL draft choice will now occur.

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