The Landry Hat
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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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Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Chaz Green (79) defends against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cassius Marsh (91) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Chaz Green (79) defends against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cassius Marsh (91) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

PLUGGING NEW HOLE AT SWING TACKLE

Most likely Green will move up from swing tackle and fill Free’s starting right spot.

Being so, fourth tackle Emmett Cleary now becomes the chief back-up tackle.

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Dallas is Cleary’s fifth team since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Last season he saw his first pro action at tackle in two games (one start).

Swing tackle is almost as important to the offense as a nickel corner is to defense. If either tackle goes down, he’s your new starting edge protector.

Free missed five starts in 2014. Tyron Smith missed three starts in 2016.

Few coaches would be comfortable watching Cleary try to keep Jason Pierre-Paul or Olivier Vernon from ending Dak’s day early.

Dallas can’t afford to risk losing games due to one extremely weak OL link.

At the very least they’ll seek to draft a player to back-up Green and Smith with the talent level of Green when drafted in 2015.

Green was selected in the third round to play swing tackle. Expect the same or higher.

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