FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys receiving core has continued to change this off-season as players were acquired from the Draft and free agency, but the Pro-Bowlers at the line of scrimmage that open up the play to be successful for the Cowboys’ offense, have become one of the most dominant walls in the National Football League and threat to opposing defensive-lines.
At a press conference during Mandatory Mini-Camp at the Star, head coach Jason Garrett described the asset of three individuals on the Cowboys O-Line: Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick.
“ I reinforced the idea that you have to build it with the offense and defensive lines in order to allow your skill to have some success. We drafted Tyron first, certainly a building block player: A cornerstone player for us. He has been everything we anticipated and more. Then we continued with Travis and Zack. Allocating high resources obviously, but I feel like that is an important part of playing good football. That is what has allowed our skill: our quarterback and our runners and our receivers to play well since we have gotten those guys. “
The strength of these three players is what provided the way for Dak Prescott to adapt so well through his transition of becoming No.1 quarterback when Romo was injured. Many times the quarterback and receivers get the credit for outstanding plays, but if it were not for these guys setting up a perfect snap, protecting the quarterback from sacks, and man-to-man coverage against the defensive line within a number of seconds, perfectly executed plays would not be possible. They must have excellent balance and straight-line speed as soon as the ball is snapped and the play has begun. These three players make it look effortless.
Tyron Smith: The Cowboys selected Tyron Smith with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. This was only the fourth time in the club’s history that an offensive lineman was chosen in the first round, and the first time in his 22 years that General Manager Jerry Jones selected an OT in the first round. He was an offensive tackle from the University of Southern California.
Smith has a wide wingspan to block defensive lineman and has incredible speed and agility for his size. During his seven year career for the Cowboys, he has had 105 game starts, is a five time Pro-Bowl nominee, a part of the 2011 All-Rookie Team, and 2014 Week 6 NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He has been in the NFL’s Top 100 list for four straight seasons: 2014(No. 78), 2015(No.36), 2016(No.42), and 2017(No.18). He is an essential part to the Cowboys O-line, keeping defenders away from a blitz on the quarterback and enabling the offensive player who has the football to advance with the football down the field for a touchdown. In 2014, Smith signed an eight-year $97,600,000 contract with a $10,000,000 signing bonus and a guarantee of $22, 118, 013. He is locked in with the Cowboys until he becomes a free agent in 2024.
Zack Martin: The Cowboys selected offensive guard, Zack Martin, as the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college at Notre Dame, where he started in 53 consecutive games. Martin is a versatile player at the O-line and an incredible run blocker. He has a quick release to gain an edge on opposing defenders.
Since he joined the Cowboys in 2014, Martin has not missed a game. He has started in all 16 regular season games since his first year and has amassed 64 total game starts. Martin is as reliable as they come. During his four years with “America’s Team,” Martin has been selected to the Pro-Bowl each year, named 2014 NFL All-Rookie Team, voted by his peers to the 2017 NFL Top 100 List at No. 58. Last year, Pro Football Focus (PFF), naming him one of the top two elite guards in the league, gave him an overall grade of 92.2.
No. 70 has been a dominant force on the field for four straight seasons protecting Dak from defenders on pass plays, and creating holes for running backs to rush through and gain leverage as they head to the backfield, and the ultimate goal of the end zone. Martin just signed a six-year $84,000,000 contract, with a guarantee of $40,000,000. He is now the highest paid guard in the NFL and will become a free agent in 2025.
Travis Frederick: With the 31st pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected Travis Frederick, a center from Wisconsin. Frederick moves his feet well to get angles in a short space. He has great technique, quick speed in footwork, and gets his hands up quick after he releases a snap.
His first round draft selection was a shock, but he has since proved his role as center in the Cowboys O-Line and then some. Frederick has made all 16 regular season game starts since his first year as a Cowboy back in 2013. Over his career 80 game starts for the ‘silver and blue,’ he has been named to the Pro-Bowl four times, 2013 NFL All-Rookie Team, First Team All-Pro in 2016, and voted by peers to the 2017 NFL Top 100 list at No. 87. He was a Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee in 2017, for his work to stop childhood hunger. As a center, Frederick is one of the most overlooked players on the roster because he is never the subject of headlines. He rarely drops a snap even if it is poring down rain in an open stadium, which is the only reason he would be talked about. He does his job with perfect form week in and week out. Frederick recently signed a six-year $56,400,000 contract with a $3,250,000 signing bonus, and $28,162,882 guaranteed. He will become a free agent in 2024.
