Could the Dallas Cowboys draft another offensive lineman in the first round?
By Tim Kohut
With the 2017 NFL Draft inching closer, it’s fair to wonder whether or not the Dallas Cowboys could end up drafting another offensive lineman with the first round.
In the past seven years, the Dallas Cowboys have done something in the draft that no other team in the NFL has done– draft three different offensive lineman in the first round. Left tackle Tyron Smith (ninth overall in 2011), center Travis Frederick (31st overall in 2013) and right guard Zack Martin (16th overall in 2014) were all drafted by Dallas with their first overall selection in each of their respective drafts.
Those investments has clearly paid dividends for the Cowboys, as all three of those players have made it to the Pro-Bowl, and remain the top three players at their respective positions. Throw in undrafted left guard La’el Collins, who was supposed to be a top-ten pick in 2015 before being questioned in the murder case of an ex-girlfriend, and Dallas has four first round talents among their offensive line.
While this bevy of talent in the trenches coupled with the Cowboys’ pressing need for players on the defensive side of the football would appear to shut the door on Dallas drafting yet another offensive lineman, the notion shouldn’t be completely ruled out, however.
The Cowboys offensive philosophy is no secret throughout the league– run, run, and run some more. Their balanced offensive attack takes pressure off of their defense by controlling the clock, and drafting yet another dominant o-lineman could actually be seen as an effort to improve their defense.
Losing steady, yet unspectacular veteran right tackle Doug Free to retirement also somewhat justifies selecting another offensive lineman. The Cowboys look to keep Collins mostly at left guard, and it’s unclear whether or not third-year tackle Chaz Green is ready to step up as a consistent starter for the ‘Boys.
Let’s not forget about the team’s main draft strategy over the past few seasons– selecting the best available player on the board. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has said they may have to forgo their usual draft strategy because of their needs on defense, it’s tough to imagine the Cowboys selecting a less-talented player just because of need.
If all of the top defensive end prospects are off the board by the time Dallas selects at 28, and a top-tier offensive lineman like Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk or Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp remain on the board, it could prove difficult for the Cowboys to resist the urge of acquiring another potentially dominant offensive lineman.
Next: Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: Seven Round Mock 12.0
With the Cowboys on the cusp of being a championship contender, their selection in the 2017 NFL Draft will prove to be paramount. It should be an interesting draft for Dallas, to say the least.