3 players Cowboys unwisely passed on in Round 1 of 2022 draft

1. Tyler Linderbaum

Swapping Smith for Linderbaum might not make sense to some fans, but drafting the consensus top-rated center – a generational one at that – over the fifth or six-ranked tackle who might be relegated to a guard in the NFL would’ve been our preferred move if we had to pick an offensive linemen.

The last time the Cowboys spent a late first-round pick on a center – Travis Frederick at No. 31 overall in 2013 – it worked out pretty well. Presented with another seemingly can’t-miss scenario, Dallas opted for upside in Smith.

While the Cowboys have Tyler Biadasz to start at center, he struggled with consistency, snapping and penalties in 2021.

Drafting Linderbaum would’ve bumped Biadasz back to his more comfortable bench role, and Dallas could’ve turned around and used some of their remaining cap space to sign free agent Ereck Flowers to start at left guard.

In that scenario, the Cowboys would have more reliable presences at center and left guard. Instead, they have a development project in Smith and an unproven commodity in Biadasz who committed 11 penalties last year.

We like Smith’s potential, but the fact Linderbaum went one pick after to the Ravens makes the Cowboys subject to criticism if the Iowa center turns out to be the franchise center every analyst has pegged him to be.

5 free agents the Cowboys should consider after the 2022 NFL Draft

Now that the NFL Draft is in the rearview, the Dallas Cowboys are looking ahead to training camp. Here are 5 free agents they could add before Oxnard.