Dallas Cowboys: A possible free agent target at guard

The Dallas Cowboys have a couple obvious needs along their offensive line. Here’s a possible free agent target that they could kick the tires on.

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys are going to have to make a couple moves in order to shore-up their most talented positional group: the offensive line. Although three Pro Bowlers and a promising young talent make up four of their five starters along the O-Line, this unit still has some concerns to address.

The Cowboys had a major depth problem last season, specifically at tackle. Dallas clearly needs to find a more talented swing tackle to fill-in as America’s Team struggled to protect second-year quarterback Dak Prescott when left tackle Tyron Smith was hurt.

But first and foremost on the Cowboys offseason agenda has to be the position of left guard. Both last year’s starter, Jonathan Cooper, and his backup, Byron Bell, are currently free agents. That would leave Chaz Green as the penciled-in starter, which no one wants. This means re-signing Cooper and/or Bell, finding a veteran in free agency or picking up a rookie in the upcoming draft to help fill that need.

But when you consider the Cowboys just switched offensive line coaches after losing Frank Pollack to the Cincinnati Bengals and hiring their longtime O-line coach, Paul Alexander, in exchange, then one possible free agent target becomes clear.

Last season, Alexander and the Bengals signed veteran tackle Andre Smith to a one-year deal. Smith was originally the sixth overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bengals and spent his first seven seasons in Cincinnati. He left the Bengals in 2016 to join the Minnesota Vikings, but an injury limited him to just four games there.

When the Bengals re-signed the 6-foot-4, 330 pound Smith in 2017, it was with intention of playing him at guard. Which was a position he had never played before during his time in the NFL. But due to other injuries, the then 30-year old was forced to start eight games at right tackle.

I think it’s very likely Alexander will want to bring Smith to Dallas. With the veteran’s ability to play both tackle and guard positions, plus having the trust of his longtime coach, it seems like a perfect

fit. Smith is known for being an excellent run blocker, but struggles at times in pass protection. But he would likely be a fairly cheap option for the conservative Cowboys front office, and worth a flier.

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If Andre Smith is signed and starts at left guard in Big D, sandwiched between All-Pro’s in Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick, the veteran could certainly be an upgrade to what the Dallas Cowboys had last season with Jonathan Cooper.