Dallas Cowboys: Can anyone push Tyler Biadasz at starting center?

According to recent fan surveys from The Athletic, Dallas Cowboys fans are extremely concerned with the state of the offensive line heading into 2022. One of the most concerning spots on that offensive line being that of the center position.

The Dallas Cowboys organization feels the same way, about the O-line in general and about the center position specifically. Look no further than their actions leading up to and in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys clearly want to push Tyler Biadasz to be better and chances are they’ll succeed.

The Cowboys drafted offensive lineman Tyler Smith out of Tulsa with their very first pick. Despite seeing some tantalizing prospects fall their way, the Cowboys targeted and selected offensive line. It was undoubtedly a pick for need they telegraphed for weeks (not the specific player but rather the position group).

While they didn’t draft a center per say, they did target it quite heavily in their draft prep. The Dallas Cowboys were linked to multiple mid-round centers making it one of their most targeted position groups this year. After the draft they signed two of the highest regarded rookie centers (Alec Lindstrom and James Empey) and have been cross-training second year player Matt Farniok as well.

The clearly don’t want to just hand the starting gig to Tyler Biadasz and have every intention of pushing him up or pushing him out.

Will it work?

I say, yes. None of the names listed are shoe-ins to take the job but they aren’t to be taken lightly either. The undrafted free agents are smart and capable, which happen to be two elements Biadasz has struggled with as a pro.

That’s not to say I believe Empey, Lindstrom, or Farniok will win the job. But they should be able to push Biadasz to be better and at the end of the day, that’s what Dallas Cowboys fans want – better.

Tyler Biadasz wasn’t great last season but he improved as the campaign progressed which is more than I can say for anyone else on that line. The 24-year-old will never be Travis Frederick but he’s not yet reached his physical prime and is trending upward.

Connor McGovern could be a wildcard in this battle since he’s the highest drafted of the possible competitors and played center in college. But the Cowboys have been hesitant to use him in the middle in the past so one would reasonably assume that’s still the case today.

It’s Tyler Biadasz’s job to lose and chances are he won’t lose it. That’s not bad news as along as the competition can push him to improve.