FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys’ offensive line is a far cry from the unit that set atop the league’s hierarchy a few years ago. With the glory days in the rearview and an unpleasant reality in the trenches, it is time for a reboot in Dallas.
Against San Francisco in the wild-card round as Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin and La’el Collins took center stage at the line of scrimmage, the outcome left much to be desired from the once star-studded front. The line was flagged five times with four accepted penalties, including Williams and Collins both being called for a hold and a false start each. Dallas got beat at the point of attack and as a result, Dak Prescott was rattled throughout the ballgame as the 49ers sacked him five times and pressured him 22 times.
The line did not meet the team’s standard of excellence. The Cowboys had a broken run game, ranked 20th in yards before contact per rush. Also, the line did not provide Prescott with adequate protection in the pocket, ranked 23rd in average quarterback throw time.
Mike McCarthy declared at the conclusion of the season that the staff will take a “longer look” at pass protection and pre-snap penalties.
“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, by concept, situation and so forth.”
In 2021, the Cowboys were the most penalized offensive line in the NFL. The line got flagged a total of 54 times, with 49 accepted. The 49 penalties negated 373 yards gained. 34 of those were from offensive holding penalties, which stalled 19 different drives according to NFL metrics. Williams was the most penalized lineman in the league (15 total, 12 accepted), which forcibly led to him being benched. However, Connor McGovern did not play better in his absence. The Cowboys had seven different alignments throughout the season and many questions need to be answered in the offseason.
Under the salary cap crunch, executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan that the staff does not intend on making any splash moves during free agency. Which leaves the main avenue to bolster the position group, by drafting offensive linemen to plug in and play.
However, the Cowboys have one potential solution already: move La’el Collins back to left guard, where he began his career in Dallas. Williams is set to be a free agent in March, but his preposterous number of penalties makes his departure imminent at this point. Collins played all 13 games at left guard as a sophomore at LSU and started off his career in Dallas in the same spot. He clarified with media following the five-game suspension that the left side is the most “natural for him.” Collins had to adjust to playing on the right and possesses the size to play in the interior. Placing Collins at left guard would open a spot for Terence Steele at right tackle, with Josh Ball as the candidate for the backup swing tackle job.
Steele, an undrafted free agent in 2020, has earned the respect of the coaching staff and has the makings of becoming a starter for the franchise. He started 27 of 33 regular-season games during the course of his first two seasons with the Cowboys and both players/coaches alike cannot say enough about his work ethic.
On the Player’s Lounge Podcast, vice president of player personnel Will McClay spoke on Steele’s development from Year 1 to Year 2.
“He did an incredible job coming back after he played his rookie year. He played a lot of snaps his rookie year. He came back stronger. He came back more determined and that’s the unique part about him. He played both sides and yeah, it’s not ideal but at the end of the day, there’s not enough quality offensive linemen to go around 32 NFL teams. People make mistakes drafting guys in the first round and the second round and don’t get the level of performance that we got from Steele. So, that’s exciting because just of who the young man is. He’s determined. He’s got a little nasty with him. He’s long, he’s athletic, and he got stronger. He doesn’t say a word. He’s got that offensive line mentality. He’s got a great veteran group to learn from. When you watch Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and LC [La’el Collins], you understand what it takes to be a Pro, and then you got to take it upon yourself as a young man. Which he did. To come in the weight room and get stronger and do the things it took to play at a high level. I think he is going to a surprising player for us.”
Steele has come a long way since the 2020 season, where his lack of lower body strength often made him vulnerable to the bull-rush. He still requires assistance in pass protection but has made significant strides since his rookie season. With his athleticism, leadership, coachability and the coaching staff’s infatuation with him, Steele has the potential to be a multi-year starter.
The shuffle would also strengthen the center position. Biadasz is a better player with stout talent around him to pick up the slack. He is set with perennial pro bowler Zack Martin on the right side, but the inconsistent play of both Williams and McGovern hindered him. Adding another veteran presence with Collins would solidify the middle of the line.
The Cowboys are in desperate need of a boost along the offensive line. They still need an upgrade at center and to find a successor for an aging and injury-prone, Tyron Smith via the draft. Moving Collins to left guard would be a much-needed improvement and part of the overall revitalization of the unit. It’s time for change.
