Dallas Cowboys: What is Terence Steele’s ceiling as a right tackle?

One of the most surprising stories coming out of Cowboys Land this season is the sudden rise of right tackle Terence Steele. The second year undrafted free agent from Texas Tech has started 10 games for the NFL’s top offense and seems to be improving by the day.

A turnaround such as this isn’t common. Just one year ago Steele was considered one of the worst (if not the worst) OT in the NFL. Say what you will about Pro Football Focus, but their OL (and TE) grades are pretty darn good each year. They graded Steele as the 76th OT in the NFL last year and that was in a pool of 79. This year? They bumped him all the way up to 53 out of 81. A pretty significant elevation in play and a mid-level ranking most avid All-22-watchers like me find to be just about right.

Terence Steele is developing quickly for the Dallas Cowboys but where does his potential tap out at?

Just a little more than halfway through his second year, Steele has essentially elevated his play to fringe starter levels. He gets a boatload of help in pass-protection but he’s improving by the week and he’s naturally an above-average tackle as a run-blocker. Given his arc and well-documented work ethic, is it reasonable to think he could be a real NFL starting RT on a contender, and not just an injury replacement?*

I believe so.

Terence Steele Draft Profiles

Consulting some old draft profiles from the likes of Joe Marino, Jordan Reid, and Drae Harris we can see a common trait scouts all identified – Steele is a developmental prospect.

considering how far he’s come from those embarrassing games as a rookie, his developmental curve is enough to make anyone a believer in his undiscovered ceiling.

The scouting reports on Steele have been fairly spot on: Steele is a long and athletic tackle who has good foot speed and movability (traits you cannot teach).  His lack of lower body strength make him susceptible to the bull-rush and his unrefined technique and linear build make him a frequent casualty in pass-protection (things you can teach).

His experience, leadership, and coachability are well noted, and his 6-foot-6 320 lbs. frame is something worth developing.

While most respected scouts saw him as nothing more than an undrafted free agent, they also saw him good project player. Something the Dallas Cowboys clearly see and believe themselves.

So what’s Terence Steele’s ceiling?

We should be impressed with Terence Steele’s development this season but shouldn’t be content. We can be impressed AND critical of Steele at the same time.

Given the scouting reports, his steady development, his work ethic, and the coaching staff’s infatuation with him, I’d say he has multi-year starter potential. Keep in mind, even though he’s currently lining up as a starter, I don’t see him as a starting level talent right now.

Steele still commands frequent help in pass protection so he still has a way to go in his development. But considering how far he’s come from those embarrassing games as a rookie, his developmental curve is enough to make anyone a believer in his undiscovered ceiling.

While I don’t think he’ll ever reach Pro Bowl levels of performance like La’el Collins and Tyron Smith, he can certainly be a fixture at RT in the future. Dallas Cowboys fans should be impressed with Terence Steele’s development this season but shouldn’t be content. He still has a long way to go. We can be impressed AND critical of Steele at the same time.

*Note: While Terence Steele IS currently a starting RT on a contender, he’s not the ideal option or at starter level. He still requires more help than most NFL starting tackles and has not reached the level you want from a starter. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t not head into this season wanting Steele to start, but rather adapted to the situation.