Dallas Cowboys position flex on O-line will determine personnel and depth
By Reid Hanson
Want to know how the O-line situation will shake out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023? Join the crowd. After Connor McGovern left a 300 pound hole at left guard, the options in the middle are almost endless.
Not only we have no idea who will fill the LG spot but we don’t know how the other positions will land when all is said and done. If the Dallas Cowboys are forced to move a starter from another position to fill the void at LG, there will be a trickle-down effect across the line.
The Dallas Cowboys have always valued versatility on their team and that appears to be especially true with their 2023 offensive line.
We may not know who is going to start where but we have a pretty good idea who the locks are at the top of the depth chart. Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz, Tyron Smith, Terrence Steele and Chuma Odoga are likely the top-6 in no specific order.
While the last one may come as a surprise, he’s the Cowboys top O-line free agent signing and someone the entire front office has mentioned when they discuss LG. Given the Cowboys want Tyler Smith to play LT all season, Chuma has to be seen as a favorite for LG.
Behind the top-6 is a battle royale of 300+ pound men. It’s here where position flex is king and here where final the toughest decisions will be made.
"“I like the versatility we have,” Mike McCarthy said at the Star. “We all want to line up and play five guys for 20 games. I think the reality of having continuity on your offensive line directly reflect your win totals. I do think you have to recognize 17 games is a bit of a stretch so position flex is critical…you’ll see us working all those angles.”"
The Dallas Cowboys weren’t joking. They have OT Josh Ball playing inside at guard in OTAs. They have Matt Farniok, who’s competing for starting LG, playing both guard spots as well as center. Matt Waletzko will also be getting snaps at both tackle spots. If those three players can show position flex, they can lock down roster spots over the competition.
It’s not all depth pieces either. Even Chuma Odoga is a converted OT playing LG. Tyron Smith is a long-time LT playing exclusively RT now. When Steele is healthy, he’ll get snaps at LG and RT.
The Dallas Cowboys learned first hand that injuries to the O-line can happen at any time. They were forced to adapt multiple times in 2022 and want to enter 2023 prepared for the worst.
Position flex is the trademark for the Cowboys O-line. Players that are versatile have a leg up over the competition.