Choose the next Cowboys lineman: Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater?

Pick your lineman

Both linemen are top-of-the-line prospects that would fit well with the Dallas Cowboys. The difference between the two is Slater’s flexibility and Sewell’s consistency. Then add in the positional value of playing as an offensive tackle compared to a guard.

If Sewell gets drafted by Dallas, he will sit behind La’el Collins and future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith. In that time, he will learn from linemen that have been successful for a long time.

That also means one or two years of his rookie contract will be “wasted” on the bench. I think it’s a bad idea to have a tenth overall pick sit on the bench for more than one season.

Slater would likely slide into the left guard position in place of Connor Williams. It would probably be a mid-season change, but at least you know you’re getting snaps from his rookie season.

Williams’ contract expires next offseason, while Smith and Collins needing a new contract for 2024 and 2025, respectively. That makes things complicated with Sewell.

Slater could be the go-to starter at left guard as late as next season. Sewell could remain the backup unless Smith retires or gets cut. That would force the Cowboys to eat some dead cap.

It’s a difficult decision because why draft a player you won’t use? Then again, you want to pick the best player available. What would you choose?

With Smith still in the Dallas Cowboys’ long-term plans, Slater is the lineman I would draft if available. Sitting the tenth overall pick for any longer than one season and figuring out how to deal with Smith makes things more complicated than they should be.

What would you do if you were Jerry Jones having to pick between the two linemen at number 10? Would you draft Sewell? Would you draft Slater? What about trading down a couple of spots and selecting whoever is left?