While the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line has been getting younger and stronger, veteran Terence Steele hasn't lived up to his end of the bargain after inking a 5-year, $82.5 million extension before the 2023 season.
While the Cowboys are expected to use most of their draft capital on defense, there could be an offensive lineman worth monitoring on Day 3. Texas A&M’s Dametrious Crownover primarily played right tackle for the Aggies and has quietly emerged as a sleeper in this year’s draft.
Crownover is a physical specimen at 6-foot-7 and 336 pounds with plenty of athleticism to boot. A former tight end, he brings underrated quickness and movement skills, and he’s both taller and wider than Steele. If he develops the way Dallas hopes, he has the raw traits to eventually step in as Steele’s successor at right tackle.
The Dallas Cowboys could draft Dametrious Crownover to replace Terence Steele
Draft boards have Crownover anywhere from a fourth-round pick to a sixth-round pick. If he stays within that range, Jerry Jones could land a legitimate steal while focusing the early part of the draft on his defensive overhaul.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today listed Crownover at No. 10 of his top 10 combine standouts.
"Crownover is a good deal less polished than the top offensive tackle prospects in this class, but the 6-7, 336-pound blocker is the kind of project that general managers and coaches gladly sign up for. Beyond his imposing frame and wingspan, the former tight end can move nimbly enough to be an upper-echelon pass protector if he can put everything together."
Pro Football Focus ranks Crownover as the 175th-best player on their big board. His draft guide profile lists his trending stock and where he is most likely to be drafted. PFF has the Cowboys in the lead at 21 percent, followed by the Steelers at 10 percent and the Vikings at 8 percent.
Steele's 54.9 pass-blocking grade ranked 76th out of 89 tackles, per PFF. He's no longer one of the highest-paid players at this position, but he still makes a lot of money. There's a dire need to protect prime Dak Prescott at age 33, and Steele is trending down.
The 28-year-old has fared much better as a run-blocker, but that doesn't make up for how much Prescott is going to throw the ball to CeeDee Lamb (and hopefully) George Pickens next season.
It seems unlikely that the Cowboys will cut Steele, but that shouldn't stop them from targeting Crownover on Day 3 to put the wheels in motion for Steele's inevitable departure.