Dallas Cowboys: A bargain veteran may be the perfect solution at OT

The Dallas Cowboys have what appears to be a problem at their offensive tackle spots. Tyron Smith has missed time each of the past five seasons, and last year he missed virtually the entire affair with neck injury.

Rumors about La’el Collins‘ commitment to the sport date back to college. And after showing up to training camp overweight and out of shape last year, those rumors have only grown. So much so that after missing the entire 2020 season from a hip injury, his agent took to Twitter to reassure folks his agent doesn’t plan to retire. If he meant to put Dallas Cowboys fans minds at ease, he did the opposite. Up until now, we didn’t think retirement was even a realistic option.

So now both offensive tackle’s futures are legitimately in doubt. And how the Cowboys view Tyron’s and La’el’s chances at being back 100% by Week 1, will go a long way in determining the team’s course of action this offseason.

Last week we discussed this very topic and determined if the Cowboys think one (or both) of them won’t be able to play in 2021, drafting a permanent replacement tackle this offseason should be of high priority. In other words, if the best player on the board at PICK 10 is a tackle, they shouldn’t hesitate to pick him.

Kelvin Beachum may be the solution to the Dallas Cowboys problems at OT

This is the kind of thing no one should actually want to see happen. We already have two of the best OTs in the game, we should all be hoping and praying they come back and play 80+ percent of the snaps in 2021. After all, we saw what their replacements looked like last year.

But what if there’s a way to kick the can on replacing one of them? What if there was a bargain solution available that could adequately fill the post if/when one of them can’t play.

Pro Football Focus may have a solution for the Dallas Cowboys. They named Kelvin Beachum as the most underrated OT on the market this year and essentially said a team like the Dallas Cowboys should be able to sign him on a one-year deal totaling just $4.5 million.

As many know the going rate on an NFL starting tackle is astronomical these days since the demand far outweighs the supply. So finding an underrated veteran with some manageable weaknesses could be the way to go.

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PFF pointed out Beachum is a below average run blocker but a plus pass -protector. Best yet, he has a proven track record of playing both the left and right side of the offensive line. The 32-year-old was the eighth rated RT in pass protection last season, and could fill in for either Tyron Smith or La’el Collins should they miss time next season. And Beachum wouldn’t endanger Dak Prescott‘s life in the process either.

That sounds a whole lot better than using the top pick on an OT doesn’t it? They can still draft one of those mid-round developmental OTs (in fact, that’s the strength of this class so they should regardless), but they’d have Beachum to lean on right away.

If the Dallas Cowboys are fairly sure Collins or Smith won’t be able to make it back, then there’s no need to delay and they might as well draft an OT with their first pick. But if they’re optimistic about the two vets and just trying to insure themselves, then scooping up a modestly priced swing tackle like Beachum may be the best way to go.

The Dallas Cowboys need a viable solution at offensive tackle THIS YEAR. If they sign Beachum they could invest their top resources in defense all while covering the strength of the team: the passing game

• Published on 02/22/2021 at 13:01 PM
• Last updated at 02/22/2021 at 13:58 PM