3 offensive linemen Cowboys can draft to replace Connor McGovern
By Randy Gurzi
On the first day of the legal tampering period, the Dallas Cowboys lost Connor McGovern, a former third-round pick from Penn State who had been a spot starter throughout his first four seasons.
McGovern appeared in 45 games with 29 starts including 15 this past season as Tyron Smith and Terence Steele injuries led to Tyler Smith moving to left tackle. He now heads to Buffalo as he and the Bills agreed to a three-year deal worth $23 million.
With constant injuries on the line, the Cowboys are going to need to replace McGovern but they don’t have to use free agency to do so. Instead, they can look to one of these three prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.
3 offensive linemen Cowboys can draft to replace Connor McGovern
3. Anthony Bradford, LSU
If Dallas is looking for more strength on their offensive line, Anthony Bradford could be the ideal replacement for McGovern. The departing McGovern boasted more than enough size at 6-5 and 308 pounds but Bradford would be much harder to move around at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds.
He might not be the most athletic player but he can get out in space as a pulling guard and is a nightmare for nose tackles when he helps the center block on double teams. Dallas will continue to be a run-centric team after placing the franchise tag on Tony Pollard and Bradford would be capable of clearing lanes for him.
Bradford isn’t known for finesse but he will clear the way and could even fill in for McGovern as a fullback in goal-line situations in addition to his duties as the top reserve guard.