Should the Dallas Cowboys add youth to their offensive line?

The Dallas Cowboys could add youth to their offensive line in the upcoming NFL Draft

Once upon a time, the Dallas Cowboys had the best offensive line in the NFL. No one could touch the quarterback, and the running back would run at least two yards untouched. Unfortunately, the 2020 season painted a different picture.

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the tenth overall pick allows owner Jerry Jones to add a young offensive lineman that can step in right away. Then again, the team has two first-team All-Pro’s and one soon-to-be Pro Bowler, and a sophomore rookie with a ton of potential.

On the Cowboys this season

At left tackle, the Cowboys have Tyron Smith. With two first-team All-Pro and seven Pro Bowl nods, it’s safe to say he has been among the best at his position for some time. Despite all his success, he has had injury issues, missing 27 games in his career, with 14 of them being from last season.

Left guard Connor Williams was the team’s starter since he was a second-round draft pick in 2018. He is known for being a dominant run-blocker but not as much a pass-blocker. He is an overall good lineman at the young age of 23.

Tyler Biadasz was one of the Cowboys’ fourth-round picks from the 2020 NFL Draft. The Wisconsin product fared well in his rookie season and has good potential to become a reliable player. He is a starting-caliber player and will hopefully develop to become more consistent.

Future Hall of Famer Zack Martin continues to dominate at right guard. The 2020 season was the first of his seven-year career that he wasn’t a Pro Bowler, and that was because of an injury. Add four first-team All-Pros to his name, and you have one of the better offensive linemen ever.

From being a troubled undrafted free agent to a borderline Pro Bowl right tackle, La’el Collins proved he was worth the risk. He was previously the Cowboys’ left guard before being switched to right tackle in 2017. His power blocking is on full display every game. It is efficient and entertaining.

Should the Dallas Cowboys draft an offensive lineman?

Other than the injury-plagued 2020 season, the Dallas Cowboys offensive line has been among the best in the NFL. With that said, 30-year old Tyron Smith has had injury issues for some time, and Williams’ contract expires next offseason.

Adding youth to their depth will help if injuries creep up again, and a long-term solution to Smith would help considering his injury history. The Cowboys can draft a left guard to take over for Williams next season to save some money.

Overall, the Dallas Cowboys don’t need to add youth to their starting offensive line yet, but it would be good to add young depth players to develop long term. Only a left guard or a left tackle to replace Smith down the road is worth a high draft pick.