The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the league in the first year of the Brian Schottenheimer era. The former offensive coordinator knew how to get Dak Prescott to his spots, and an explosive running game helped take pressure off his shoulders.
Jerry Jones has gone to great lengths to address the team's dreadful defense. The offense was great, but they can only do so much if they can get the opposing quarterback off the field. On the other side, if Prescott wants to stay on the field healthy and ready, they have one trick up their sleeve they can use.
Other than drafting offensive tackle Drew Shelton in the fourth round, Jones has yet to address a major offensive concern this offseason: Blindside protection. Considering that, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News believes they should make a run at former Detroit Lions OT Taylor Decker.
"Adding someone like Decker would add some security to their left tackle situation. Decker is heading into his 11th season. He was a Pro Bowl player in 2024 for the Detroit Lions. He'll be 33 in August," wrote Hoyt.
Signing Taylor Decker makes perfect sense for Dak Prescott's protection
While the Cowboys have a former first-round selection in Tyler Guyton, injuries haven't helped him establish himself in the league. There has been some chatter about moving Tyler Smith from guard to tackle, but that's far from ideal.
Decker may have miscalculated his free-agency value. He requested his release after failing to secure a contract extension from the Lions, and he remains unsigned. With a projected market value of $21.3 million, that's not much of a surprise.
Do the Cowboys have enough bodies at the offensive line? Or have Guyton's concerns only grown to the point where they have to sign someone like Decker?
Of course, left tackle is a prime position, and it makes sense that he wants to be compensated as such. That said, he may not have counted on this NFL Draft being so heavy at OT, and there aren't many teams that still need a blindside protector.
As such, the Cowboys might be able to get him at a discount. They could give him a short-term "prove it" deal while they continue to develop Guyton. Judging by the lack of interest in his services, that might be his safest bet right now. But if Jones' number doesn't meet Decker's requirements, oh well. They tried.
A former Pro Bowler, Decker can give the Cowboys just enough to keep Dak Prescott out of harm's way. He's not a superstar by any means, but he only allowed 3 QB hits and 2 sacks in 551 pass-blocking snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Cowboys should be just fine on offense next season, and their success -- or lack thereof -- will most likely depend on whether their new-look defense can actually get some stops. That said, Prescott has taken a beating over the years, and he's not as mobile as he used to be. Keeping him out of harm's way will be paramount, and Decker might be the right guy for the job if the price makes sense.
Other than being involved in the controversial two-point conversion attempt that involved Decker and former Lions OT Dan Skipper back in 2023, Cowboys fans would welcome Decker with open arms, especially if they want to keep QB1 alive and well.
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