FRISCO, Texas – Heading into training camp at the outset of the 2021 season, what was considered by many to be the Cowboys’ greatest strength, turned into the team’s liability: the offensive line. The glory days of the unit are a distant memory, deemed the league’s best a few years ago. With star-studded names and perennial Pro Bowlers in Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, it is clear why the crew has been held in such high esteem.
Dallas’ season came to a crumbling end in the wild-card round at the hands of a formidable 49ers defensive front – a microcosm of the year. The Cowboys’ offensive stat line placed Kellen Moore’s unit atop the hierarchy but masked an unpleasant reality. Throughout the course of the season, they could not establish the run even against light boxes (ranked 20th in yards before contact per rush) and could not provide Dak Prescott with effective protection. As the Cowboys undergo an evaluation period following a disappointing finish to the 2021 season, the time is now to bolster the offensive line.
After the loss to the Niners at AT&T Stadium, Martin spoke candidly on the line’s performance.
“It’s no secret we need to get better. We got smacked in the mouth early, and credit to our guys for coming back and fighting through and making it a game. We need to get better.”
Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin and La’el Collins – the presumed five starters at the beginning of the season – all started in the wild-card game for the Cowboys. The squad got beat at the point of attack repeatedly and the Niners were able to generate pressure from a four-man rush, allocating more resources to the back end. More Incriminating, they consistently wreaked havoc at the line of scrimmage without their best pass rusher, Nick Bosa, for the majority of the second half.
Dallas went through seven different alignments during the year, hindering continuity. Many questions need to be answered and improvements made during the offseason.
Penalties
The Cowboys were the most penalized offensive line in the league, which largely contributed to the unit’s regression. The line amassed 54 penalties total, 49 accepted. The 49 penalties nullified 373 yards gained, constantly putting the Cowboys in unfavorable down and distance situations. Not a winning formula.
Against the 49ers, the offensive line was flagged five times with four accepted as Collins and Williams were each penalized for a hold and false start. Williams’ holding call negated a 32-yard catch by CeeDee Lamb in the first quarter and the false start led to a punt in the third. Over the course of the regular season, Williams became the most penalized lineman in the NFL with 15 total, 12 accepted. The coaches decided to bench Williams, believing the officials were targeting him. However, Connor McGovern took his place at left guard and played worse.
The undisciplined play falls on the coaching staff. Specifically, the holding penalties will be assessed during the offseason.
“We’ve had too many holding [penalties] on run plays, so that’s something as a coach we’ll continue to take a hard look at, by individual, by technique, be concept, situation and so forth,” Mike McCarthy stated.
What to do at center?
If the job is done at a high level, the ‘center’ position is one that does not frequently occupy headlines. If the position is being discussed, that is not a positive narrative. Dallas became accustomed to the Pro Bowl play of Travis Frederick, who previously anchored the line. As a run blocker, Frederick easily drove a defensive lineman off his spot to create open rush lanes up the middle and a pass blocker, he consistently won his one-on-one battles up front against bull-rushing nose tackles across the league.
Now, it is not fair to compare one former badger to another. Biadasz started every game in his second season with Dallas and racked up nine penalties. In training camp prior to the start of the 2021 season, it became evident the Cowboys were not set on Biadasz as Frederick’s successor. The staff opened competition for the job, giving Williams snaps in the role but he struggled with shotgun snaps. During practices once the season began, the staff started giving McGovern backup reps as well at center.
When both failed to produce solutions, Biadasz kept his starting position. The play of Martin on his right certainly elevated his play but the struggles on the left from both Williams and McGovern became a hindrance. Looking for a center in April would be logical but there are many positions on the roster that take precedence. Only Martin in the O-Line has maintained his elite status with near flawless technique. Both Smith and Collins are injury-prone and aging, leading to the next point.
Should Dallas move on from Tyron Smith and La’el Collins?
Injuries have derailed an otherwise stellar career for Tyron Smith. He has not played a full season since 2015. In 2021, Smith missed five games due to a lingering ankle injury and one contest because of COVID-19. The 31-year-old is about to enter his 10th season and when he was on the field this year, his production decreased. As the blindside tackle, Smith plays a high-stress and high-demand position. He did not meet expectations in 2021 and is set to count $17.5 million against the cap and make $13.5 million in 2022. If the team decides to part ways with Smith, they could save approximately $5.5 million. Releasing him would then beg the question, who would replace the eight-time Pro Bowl veteran?
Both backup tackles Ty Nsekhe and Mitch Hyatt will hit free agency in March and regardless of Smith’s status, the Cowboys need to begin searching for his successor in the draft.
La’el Collins missed the entirety of the 2020 season after undergoing hip surgery and then got suspended five games following the Week 1 loss at Tampa Bay for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The guaranteed money remaining on Collins’ contract ($6.48 million) was voided due to the suspension. As a result, Dallas could get out of his contract if preferred without much salary-cap damage.
The Cowboys gave Collins a third contract in 2019 following the best season of his career, signing a $50 million contract extension over five years with a $9 million bonus. He is set to make almost $70 million if he plays out his current deal. The suspension cost him $2 million in lost compensation, and a fine worth $455,880.
The Cowboys believe Terence Steele, an undrafted free agent in 2020, has the capability of becoming a long-time player for the organization. He started 27 of 33 regular-season games in his first two years with Dallas. Collins began his career at left guard, and with Williams likely making an exit in March via free agency due to excessive penalties, it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will switch Collins to left guard. That would open a spot for Steele at right tackle, where he feels most comfortable in the lineup.
Josh Ball, a 2021 draft pick, did not play his rookie campaign due to an ankle injury but he has a strong case of becoming the club’s backup swing tackle in 2022.
