Dallas Cowboys: 3 roster issues and the level of concern
By Brad Austin
OFFENSIVE SWING TACKLE
With rookie Josh Ball injured and without much practice, Ty Nsekhe and Terence Steele are the leading two swing tackle options on paper. Nsekhe has 17 starts over the past six seasons, while Steele had 14 starts for Dallas last season.
Either of those two players would be adequate short-term substitutions. Yet a lengthy injury to a starter may require something more substantial. Tyron Smith and La’el Collins will be ready to go Week One, but both have a cautionary injury profile.
The starting tackle duo of Smith and Collins only started one game between them in 2020. Smith hasn’t missed fewer than three starts in a season since 2015. And while Collins practiced in training camp, it’s a reach to say he appeared back to 2019 form.
The good news is Dallas has a proven longer-term fix at their disposal. Starting guard Zack Martin would slide out to tackle, while capable backup guard Connor McGovern assumes his vacated guard spot. Doing so would reinforce the line with five starting-caliber players. Swing tackle concerns have worthy in-house solutions.