Cowboys O-Line Review: Down Season For Dak Prescott Blockers; Changes Coming?
One thing that the Dallas Cowboys have been able to hang their hat on the last couple of years is the high-level play of their offensive line - but that didn't happen this season.
When healthy, the "best five" of Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, and Terence Steele proved to be one of the better units in the league.
But that healthy-related positive didn't happen too often.
The ageless Tyron Smith, who, when healthy, was in All-Pro form as he managed 13 games. But when he was out, his absence was harshly felt as Chuma Edoga wasn't the answer at tackle (see Miami Dolphins game).
Tyler Smith (14 games) and Tyler Biadasz (16 games) were mainstays all season, while Steele simply wasn't himself at right tackle, presumably still coming back to his full potential after his ACL injury and, at times, was a liability in coach Mike McCarthy's offense.
There was a bright spot depth-wise in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders as T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman had good outings, so both could be in line for more opportunities in the offseason.
Others in Matt Waletzko, who missed the majority of the season after having shoulder surgery, only featured once, while rookie Asim Richards managed eight games (one start).
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Dak Prescott was sacked 39 times in 17 games and four times in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
It is the most Dak has been sacked since 2018 (56) as prior to this season, the sacks allowed are as follows: 20 in 2022, 30 in 2021, 10 in 2020 (ankle/leg injury), and 23 in 2019.
So there is a clear drop-off in protection, and we all know the run game struggles that the unit had all season, too. That all points to a down year for the one part of the team that has had a high level of play year after year.
With Tyron Smith and Martin getting another year older (both are 33), could the Cowboys take an offensive lineman early? Washington guard Troy Fautanu and Duke's Graham Barton are two names mentioned in recent Mock Drafts.
Perhaps the most startling aspect of the offensive line this season was when one piece was unavailable; the line looked like a shadow of itself, and with Tyron (now out of contract, as is Biadasz) and Martin entering their latter years, perhaps moves could be made this offseason.
Whether that be to get quality backups via free agency or take their eventual successors in the draft, things will be changing at The Star.
After giving up the most sacks since 2018 and the run game barely getting going, the once-vaunted offensive line, by its own high standards, had a poor season.
