The Dallas Cowboys top-5 needs in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys Draft Need No. 1
Offensive line
This is vague for a reason. The immediate need is on the interior but the best long-term investment is on the end. With Connor Williams set to hit free agency, there’s an immediate opening at LG. And given the way Connor McGovern played at LG in 2021, I’m not sure the answer is on the Dallas roster right now.
Left guard and center were clearly weakness for the Dallas Cowboys last season. Tyler Biadasz improved in Year 2 – just not as much as we hoped he would. That means two interior positions were weaker than average for the Dallas Cowboys last year making plenty of room for one if not two challengers.
#Cowboys LT Tyron Smith allowed six pressures and four hurries on Sunday.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 17, 2022
It's the most pressures he has allowed in a game since 2012, according to @PFF
Tackle isn’t in perfect shape either. Not only did both starting tackles miss time this year, but Tyron Smith struggled in his return. Thinking about the future here isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. If the Dallas Cowboys can add a tackle with some inside versatility he could start inside and move outside when the day to replace Tyron arrives.
The Dallas Cowboys currently have decent depth with Terence Steele on hand. He may never be a great starting option but he’s an elite OT3. Josh Ball is a complete unknown but I’m naming him OT4 based on draft status and feel pretty good about that.
Dallas Cowboys free agent OL: Connor Williams, Ty Nsekhe and Mitch Hyatt
Ideally, if a top OT falls to Dallas in the first round I’m thinking long and hard. And if he has the ability to play inside for the first couple years then I’m not hesitating in picking him up.
Additionally, I’m also considering center choices early in the draft. Dallas doesn’t NEED to replace Biadasz this offseason but they don’t NEED to save his job for him either. If they can add a premium center to the team the first two days of the draft, they should do so.
The Dallas Cowboys offensive line has been surviving by reputation the past few years. They are clearly on the decline and need to start injecting young talent before it’s too late. Offensive line is the Cowboys biggest need this offseason and it’s not even close.
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Much will depend on what the Cowboys do these next few weeks before free agency but I think we have a pretty clear idea what the needs are this draft cycle