4 options for the Cowboys at swing tackle other than Josh Ball

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Josh Ball in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, there was an expectation that he would quickly become their swing tackle. Ball was seen as an incredible talent but he found himself in trouble off the field and left Duke University amid allegations of dating violence.

He went the community college route before heading to Marshall. Eventually, he was drafted by Dallas but missed his rookie campaign due to an injury. After essentially redshirting his first pro season, Ball finally made his debut this preseason, and the results weren’t great when he was on the field.

With the Cowboys usually needing to turn to their swing tackle several times per season, this should be a cause for concern. That’s why they should kick the tires on these three replacement options while giving Ball more time to develop.

4 swing tackle options for the Cowboys other than Josh Ball

4. Bryan Bulaga

It’s safe to say Bryan Bulaga struggled the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. A former starting right tackle for the Green Bay Packers, Bulaga spent 10 seasons working for current Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy. He also spent a couple of those years with offensive line coach Joe Philbin, who was the offensive coordinator and interim head coach when McCarthy was let go.

Bulaga left Green Bay in 2019, which was the offseason following McCarthy’s firing. He signed a three-year deal worth $10 million with the Chargers but spent most of 2021 on the IR.

His signing might not sound ideal considering he hasn’t played at a high level as of late and has injury concerns, but he knows the coaches and would be able to pick things up quickly. Plus, at this rate, it seems like anything would be an improvement over Ball. For that reason, he should at least get a look.

3. Nate Solder

There was a time when Nate Solder was one of the hottest names in the free agency market. A second-round pick from Colorado in 2011 (the same year the Cowboys took Tyron Smith out of USC), Solder spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New England Patriots where he helped them win two Super Bowls while blocking for Tom Brady.

He then hit free agency in 2018 and signed a four-year $62 million deal with the New York Giants. Solder would start 48 games in four seasons (he sat out in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns) but was never close to the player New York expected him to be.

Solder signed a new deal with the Giants in 2021, which allowed him to become a free agent after the season. There was a time when it sounded as though he would retire, but he has not done so yet so he could be convinced to join a team for the coming season.

Even with his struggles, Dallas should consider giving him a home for the year. Solder not only has experience at both left and right tackle but also did a decent job in run-blocking last season. He wouldn’t be called upon to start every game but is a savvy veteran who would be an upgrade over Ball.

2. Jason Peters

There’s no other lineman in the NFL right now with more experience than Jason Peters. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, Peters came from out of nowhere to become a star in the league.

Undrafted out of Arkansas after playing tight end, he appeared in five games as a rookie in 2004 for the Buffalo Bills. By his second season, he was a regular member of the offensive line as he played in every game with 10 starts.

Peters wound up playing five seasons with the Bills but then was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 for three picks, with a first-round selection being the key piece in that trade. He then signed a six-year deal worth $60 million. Peters not only lived up to that contract but also earned himself an extension in 2014, which was worth $51.3 million for five seasons.

In all, Peters played 11 years in Philly and won a Super Bowl with them. He departed in free agency last season and at the age of 39, joined the Chicago Bears and started 15 games. Overall, he was graded above average and despite turning 40 years of age, he still wants to continue his NFL career.

Peters has lost a step, but again, he won’t be expected to start every game in Dallas. Instead, he would be someone that could play in heavy packages and can start should Tyron Smith miss any time.

1. Eric Fisher

The top pick back in 2013, Eric Fisher, was actually the first selection former Eagles coach Andy Reid made when he joined the Kansas City Chiefs. He never became the star Reid and his staff hoped he would be, but he was still a good starter that played for eight seasons with the Chiefs.

His time with them came to an end in the 2020 playoffs when he ruptured his Achilles. He was released in the offseason and signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The narrative was that Fisher struggled in 2021, but David Howman of Blogging the Boys believes the issue might have been the quarterback holding onto the ball too long which made the entire line look suspect.

"“He ended up signing a one-year deal with the Colts last year and played adequately, though much of the team’s offensive linemen struggled to adjust to quarterback Carson Wentz’s longer times spent holding the ball. Indianapolis did not re-sign Fisher, and it seems his performance last year has scared teams off from considering him a starter anymore. But in Dallas, Fisher would represent tremendous value as a swing tackle given his experience and pedigree.” — Howman, Blogging the Boys"

Dallas has made a habit of signing former high draft picks that need a fresh start after either an injury or just a disappointing season. They found success with Malik Hooker last year and are hoping the same for Dante Fowler in 2022. Then again, they have been burnt as well with this strategy, like when they added Gerald McCoy.

Having said that, the potential reward usually outweighs the risk, and with Fisher being 31, he could still have enough in the tank to be everything the Cowboys need.