If there's a former first-round pick floating around in free agency, you know the Dallas Cowboys will at least talk about him.
A new one just hit the open market on Friday: veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, who was released by the Washington Commanders. Given the Cowboys' depth concerns on the offensive line, should they give Humphries a look?
The 24th-overall pick in 2015 by Arizona, Humphries was with the Cardinals through 2023. He became a full-time starter in 2016 and never looked back, thought he did struggles with injuries at times. He moved from right tackle to left in 2017, where he remained for the duration of his Arizona run.
After an ACL injury in late December of 2024, Humphries go released the following March. Once recovered, he signed with the Chiefs for a couple of games to end 2024 as a backup. Last year, he played in a reserve role for the Rams for eight games.
Humphries was a free agent this past offseason until late August, when he signed with Washington a few days before final cuts. But two weeks later, the Commanders released Humphries for currently unknown reasons.
The Cowbows could use more left tackle depth
It's no secret that Dallas is hurting at left tackle right now. They're hoping for a strong, healthy third year from Tyler Guyton, but the depth is lacking. Recently-acquired Broderick Jones is focusing on right tackle. And if sliding Tyler Smith to LT was the emergency plan if Guyton gets hurt,they just lost that option for a month or two.
Someone with Humphries' ample experience at LT is worth considering. His last year in Arizona was also Klayton Adams' first season as their offensive line coach, so there may be some value in that familiarity there.
Granted, we don't know why Humphries had such a short time in Washington. Many times with older players, news like this is followed by an announcement that they're retiring. Humphries is 32 and has been in the NFL for 11 years, so that would hardly be surprising in this case.
But Washington is a different team with a different system. Their new offensive coordinator, David Blough, and Humphries were actually teammates in Arizona in 2022, but who knows what the fit was like now that Blough's moved into coaching.
If D.J. Humphries still has designs on playing in 2026, the Cowboys may be a better spot for him. And at this late hour ahead of the their season opener, especially after the recent loss of Tyler Smith, there are limited options to bolster that LT depth.
Given that and the Klayton Adams factor, it wouldn't be surprising if Dallas at least brings him in for a workout.
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