Cowboys fans received the shocking news over the weekend that their star offensive tackle Tyron Smith is unlikely to return next season. This, combined with the pending departure of starting center Tyler Biadasz opens significant holes in the Cowboys' offensive line. This means that Dallas needs to address these needs either via draft or free agency.
Replacing an offensive lineman of Tyron Smith's caliber will not be easy. Tyler Smith could potentially move over to tackle to take on that role but the Cowboys might prefer to go with a more proven option there.
Fortunately for them, there are plenty of free agents available on the market that could fill their needs. Here are the three that make the most sense.
Jonah Williams
The former first-round pick out of Alabama spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. After playing at left tackle in his first couple of seasons, he settled in at right tackle, where he played every snap for the Bengals last season. But, he has made his preference known previously as he likes to play left tackle more. He is expected to prioritize that in free agency.
Williams, at age 26, doesn't have the highest of upsides as he ranked 59th in the NFL in PFF grades. But he has high-level experience, protecting Joe Burrow for the past few seasons, and has a high floor as a tackle option.
PFF projects a contract of $64 million over four years with $40 million guaranteed. That $16 million annual salary might be too pricey for Dallas, but if they strike out on their main targets, Williams could be a decent choice.
Mike Onwenu
Another offensive tackle who is just coming off his rookie contract is Mike Onwenu of the New England Patriots. The 26-year-old Michigan product has been a starter for the Patriots ever since he was a sixth-round pick in 2020.
Last season didn't go according to plan for the Patriots' offense. Their offensive line was one of the worst units in the NFL as they ranked dead last in pass-blocking win rate. However, their star lineman Onwenu was their best starter once again.
Playing both at right guard and right tackle, Onwenu received a 68 grade in pass blocking and 72.2 rush blocking on PFF, ranking 29th among all tackles in the league. He is a solid pass protector and blocker with good footwork.
Spotrac projects a four-year, $54.5 million for Onwenu's next deal. This seems like a better deal for the Cowboys than a potential multi-year contract for Jonah Williams. However, since the Patriots have more cap space than any other team in the NFL, they might beat any offers to Onwenu, making it difficult to lure him away.
Jermaine Eluemunor
If Onwenu and Williams are out of the Cowboys' price range, a more affordable option like Eluemunor would be a decent option. Ever since signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, the 29-year-old veteran revived his career, receiving grades of 75.3 and 68.5 on PFF in back-to-back seasons, respectively.
According to The Athletic, Eluemunor is the no. 26 ranked free agent, making him one of the top offensive linemen on the market. His versatility makes him an excellent fit on any offensive unit. He has played right tackle and guard and can even slot in at left tackle when needed. The Raiders, who are in the midst of a long rebuild, might not want to give a long-term deal to a 29-year-old, potentially making him easier to acquire.
At 6-4 and 330 pounds, Eluemunor has the prototypical size for a tackle. The Athletic describes his playing style as follows:
"He is a natural athlete with the feet and smooth agility to stay square on his targets, especially in pass protection. His ability to recover and play with consistent balance gives him a giant step up on the competition in this free-agent tackle pool. He makes it look easy at times."The Athletic
Considering his price tag, Eluemunor might be the best option the Cowboys have if they indeed go the free-agent route.