3 Tyron Smith backups Cowboys should sign in free agency

1. Taylor Lewan

Taylor Lewan turned heads at Michigan, and the Titans drafted him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2014 draft and have gotten nothing but great production out of him. In nine years with the Titans, he has played in 105 careers games and has 100 starts to his name. He was also a three-time Pro Bowl selection from 2016 to 2018.

Unfortunately, like most offensive lineman at a height like that, the injuries have started to pile up for Lewan. In week six of 2020, he tore his ACL and did not play the rest of the year. Despite his first significant injury, Lewan recovered and had a bounce-back 2021 season. He started in 13 games and paved the way for a ground game that racked up 2,404 yards and 23 touchdowns despite Derrick Henry being limited to only eight games.

This past season proved to be it for Lewan in the Music City. He suffered a serious knee injury in week two and missed the rest of the season. He was released at the start of the offseason.

It has so far been a slow free agency period for Lewan. For a guy coming off a knee injury, it is not surprising. If Dallas wants him for any help on the line, he does not seem like a player at this point of his career who would want the big bucks. For a nine-year veteran who still indicates he wants to play, he would be a solid addition to the Cowboys offensive line room.

More than anything, this group needs that veteran presence to fill in if and when Smith goes down again. Lewan is a guy who has experience in big games including six playoff starts. Playing left tackle for the majority of his career, he is someone you can put on that side of the line and have confidence he can protect Dak Prescott and help in the ground game.