Concerns about the future of the offensive line were paramount at the end of the 2023 season for the Dallas Cowboys, who had already lost two starters from a line that was already under intense scrutiny due to a subpar rushing attack. The offensive line included veteran linebackers Tyron Smith (of the New York Jets) and C Tyler Biadasz (of the Washington Commanders), who were allowed to test the free agent market following 13 outstanding seasons with the Cowboys. Smith, a gentle giant, was essentially given his walking papers after years of being limited by back issues and various other ailments.
Leer Biadasz left for more money than the Cowboys were prepared to give, not because he was getting older. The Cowboys seem to be extremely cash strapped when you look at the salary cap calculations, according to Stephen Jones.
Biadasz, who will be blocking for rookie and collegiate sensation quarterback Jayden Daniels, decided to follow former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn to Washington. The Cowboys’ starting five had gaps after both of those departures, and there were no obvious successors.
With two early draft selections, the Cowboys might have struck it lucky to fill those spots. It won’t be flawless, but the starting offensive line is starting to take shape through two preseason games.
Let’s take a look at the projected starting five in front of QB Dak Prescott when the season opens off week 1 in Cleveland against Deshaun Watson and the Browns.
LT Tyler Guyton
The Cowboys used their first round pick on Tyler Guyton, who played primarily right tackle in college at Oklahoma. With his performances in training camp this offseason and the first two preseason games, Guyton is the clear choice to start week one against Cleveland. Although veteran Chuma Edoga looked to have a firm hold on the position for a few weeks, an injury has kept him out for multiple weeks. The Cowboys’ previous cornerstone left tackles all began their careers on the right side of the offensive line.
Everything is going OK so far. According to Pro Football Focus, Guyton is presently the best graded rookie offensive tackle from the 2024 class and is ranked ninth overall among all NFL linemen.
In training camp, he has defeated Cowboys DE/LB Micah Parsons multiple times, and his efforts have paid off on the field.
LG Tyler Smith
It makes sense to start Tyler Smith at left guard. The main worry was if Tyler Guyton could not mature in time, would he have to slide out to left tackle?
After an outstanding season in which PFF ranked him as the 11th-best guard in the NFL with an overall grade of 74.4, Smith returns to the position that garnered him Pro Bowl accolades.
After playing left guard for a complete season, he will undoubtedly produce better performances in 2024.
Beebe, C. CooperBeebe,
C Cooper Beebe is another youngster who seems to have solidified his place as a starter. Beebe is switching to the pivot position with the Cowboys after spending much of his college career playing guard.
During training camp, Brock Hoffman was logging the majority of the starting reps and his career-high buzz was in full swing. But in the eyes of the fans, Beebe closed that distance and overtook him.
It does not take a movie aficionado to notice that Beebe has more strength and speed than Hoffman. Early on, he had trouble releasing the ball after snapping it, but over training camp, those movements have become more fluid.
Beebe now has the starting center position to lose.
Zack Martin, RG
About Zack Martin, there is not much to say that you do not already know. He leads the offensive line and is a consistent All-Pro and Pro Bowl performer.
Even if Martin thought 2023 was a “down” season by his own standards, he is still regarded as the best guard in football. The only concern is how long he can continue his outstanding performance.
When he accumulates more penalties than All-Pro honors, perhaps it will be time to hang up his cleats.
RT Terence Steele
It has been almost two years since Terence Steele suffered an ACL tear at the close of the 2022 campaign.
Experts describe Steele as the “weakest link” on the Cowboys offensive line since he was not his usual self in 2023 and was clearly still dealing with the effects of the injury. That might be a good thing.
His preseason performance has been quite impressive, so if he is the weakest link, it says a lot about the quality of the offensive line as a whole. It speaks the loudest for the two rookies who had to fill veteran positions out of necessity.
His preseason performance has been quite impressive, so if he is the weakest link, it says a lot about the quality of the offensive line as a whole. For the two rookies who were compelled to stand up and take on experienced roles, it speaks the loudest.
We should all be thrilled to see the Cowboys’ best starting five together on the field for the first time, creating space for rushing lanes and protecting Dak Prescott’s jersey.
