Should the Cowboys consider signing David DeCastro?

The Dallas Cowboys struggled last season in large part due to injuries suffered along their offensive line. And that revealed a real lack of depth at what was once believed to be the team’s strongest positional group.

The Cowboys played without their starting right tackle, La’el Collins, all season long in 2020 due to hip injury. And they were without starting left tackle Tyron Smith for all but two games due to a neck injury. Even stalwart All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, who had only missed two games in his first six seasons in the NFL, missed six contests in 2020 due to a calf injury.

In their place, the Cowboys were forced to play inexperienced linemen in major roles for much of 2020. Undrafted rookie free agent Terence Steele started a whopping 14 games at right tackle replacing Collins. 2019 undrafted free agent Brandon Knight started nine games at left tackle replacing Smith.

In the end, the Cowboys’ offensive line struggles played a major role in the team posting a disappointing 6-10 record, having to play four different quarterbacks under center, and running back Ezekiel Elliott posting the worst season of his professional career.

So, this offseason, the health of the Cowboys’ offensive line has been a major storyline. Improving the depth was also a focus as the team signed veteran tackle Ty Nsekhe and drafted Marshall offensive tackle Josh Ball in the fourth round.

At the center position, the Cowboys figure to start second-year lineman Tyler Biadasz with seventh-rounder Matt Farniok as a potential backup candidate this summer. At guard, the rotation remains the same with Martin and Connor Williams believed to be starters and former third-rounder Connor McGovern in a backup role.

Now, there’s an opportunity for an upgrade following the recent release of All-Pro guard David DeCastro from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The six-time Pro Bowler is reportedly dealing with persistent ankle issues (bone spurs) that may force the 31-year old to retire. The decision to continue his NFL career or not sounds like it’s riding on the outcome of a third surgery he’ll presumably be having soon.

Adding a four-time All-Pro to the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line at guard sounds very appealing in theory. But considering the improved play of Connor Williams last season, and the fact Connor McGovern looked solid in his professional debut, adding an ailing veteran in David DeCastro on the brink of possible retirement doesn’t seem to make much sense.