Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons La’el Collins at left tackle makes perfect sense

Dallas Cowboys LT Debate

Reason No. 2: He’s the best tackle on the roster

With Tyron out, La’el Collins is the best tackle on the roster – by a country mile. In La’el Collins’ last season played, he was a certifiable Pro Bowl snub. He was operating at peak efficiency and in many ways, outperformed Tyron Smith, and even finished the year as the 5th rated OT in the NFL.

Fun Fact: La’el has always rated better as a tackle than he has as a guard.

For those wondering at home, that’s far higher than he’s ever rated at guard, and in fact, he’s always rated better as a tackle than he has as a guard.

It’s clear, the idea of moving him inside has more to do with peoples’ hatred of Connor Williams than it is the desire to get the best five O-linemen on the field. And even though Williams is racking up those penalties at an alarming rate, he’s a far better guard than Steele is a tackle. But hey, that’s a topic for another day…

The point is, you want your best tackle on your franchise quarterback’s blind side. And that is quite clearly Collins. For as good as Steele has been as a run blocker, he’s been a bit of a liability as a pass-protector. Dallas routinely has to roll help his way, double-teaming and chip blocking their way to creating a clean pocket. They didn’t have to do that back when Collins and Smith were the bookends.

That 2019 coaches film is still out there. Go check the tape and see for yourself. Collins was a beast at tackle and by the look of him against Denver, and particularly in Week 1 of this season, he’s close to getting back to those elite levels.