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The Dallas Cowboys top five moves made this offseason

By Bryan Spielman

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 05: Ryan Switzer #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a touchdown catch against Ryan Carter #31 of the Clemson Tigers during the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 05: Ryan Switzer #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a touchdown catch against Ryan Carter #31 of the Clemson Tigers during the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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With the Dallas Cowboys done with their offseason program and awaiting training camp, lets take a step back and evaluate the top five moves they made this spring.

ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 8: Cole Beasley #11 and teammate La’el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after Beasley scored a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 8: Cole Beasley #11 and teammate La’el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after Beasley scored a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The 2016 season was one of change for the Dallas Cowboys. It saw the emergence of rookie phenoms Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, a return to form for wide receiver Dez Bryant, and the end of the Tony Romo era.

The success of last year’s team led to a shift in the Cowboys’ offseason strategy. Rather than taking risks to prolong the Romo led Cowboys’ window of contention, Dallas could focus on surefire acquisitions.

This was evident in free agency and the draft, where Dallas made smart decisions in order to solidify their team for the foreseeable future. So, without further ado, here are the the five moves the Cowboys made this offseason.

5. Moving La’el Collins to Right Tackle

When right tackle Doug Free retired this offseason, it opened up a can of worms for the Cowboys’ front office. Dallas didn’t have enough cap space to sign a replacement of equal value and the draft was historically week at the position.

The Cowboys thought they had prepared for this situation a few years ago when they drafted tackle Chaz Green in the third round. However, due to poor play and injury issues, Green hasn’t been able to gain the coaches’ trust. So rather than throwing him to the wolves, Dallas decided to move left guard La’el Collins to right tackle.

This move is smart for a couple of reasons. First, Collins was an All-American left tackle at LSU. Second, he has the athleticism to be solid in pass protection and is an effective run blocker. And finally, rather than having an average player stuck on an island with pass rushers at right tackle, the Cowboys can cover for whoever starts at left guard with left tackle Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick.

Overall, moving Collins to right tackle will allow the Cowboys’ offensive line to remain the best in the NFL.

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