Cowboys at Cardinals: 5 things we’re watching closely for

Improved offensive line play

When healthy, the Cowboys have a very strong starting five along their offensive line in left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard Connor Williams, center Tyler Biadasz, right guard Zack Martin, and right tackle La’el Collins. But this unit was decimated by injuries last year, making depth that much more important in 2021.

But the Cowboys’ depth looked horrible against the Steelers in the team’s first exhibition contest. And they did so against several Pittsburgh defenders who are unlikely to even make the team or are considered borderline at best. This doesn’t bode well for the depth in Dallas.

These backups should be better than they appear. The Cowboys brought in offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe in free agency this offseason. Both young tackles Terence Steele and Brandon Knight started several games for Dallas last season gaining valuable experience. And guard Connor McGovern is a former third-round selection the team has been high on for years.

In their second preseason game, this unit must improve upon the sloppy play we saw from them last week. Based on the number of injuries the offensive line suffered last year, these backups could quickly become starters who are tasked with protecting a quarterback in Dak Prescott who himself missed 11 games in 2020 after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week Five.