5 nightmare scenarios for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022

4. Terence Steele doesn’t step up at RT

Full-disclosure, Terence Steele was a player high on my radar coming into the 2020 season. He landed with Dallas and the coaching staff shared that optimism as he started 14 games while appearing in all 16.

The problem was that he looked like an undrafted rookie in many of those games. The truth is, Steele had all the tools to be a starter on the offensive line but he was still raw, which is why he wasn’t selected. He was also thrust into action far too early as the Cowboys suffered one injury after another during his rookie season.

Then in his second campaign, he found himself shifting from right tackle to left (more than once)  as Tyron Smith continued to battle injuries and La’el Collins found himself suspended.

Steele was much better in year two and showed enough progress that the front office was willing to make a cost-cutting move and release Collins, making Steele the de facto starter. While this move could end up working out, there’s a nightmare scenario where Steele doesn’t step up now that he’s the No. 1 guy.

Making matters worse, Dallas doesn’t have a proven replacement as the swing tackle and Smith hasn’t played a full season at left tackle since 2015. There are some unknowns at tackle and if Steele isn’t up for the job, things could fall apart quickly.