Yeah, rumors of his demise have been (unsurprisingly) greatly exaggerated. He’s 30 years old which is still young for an OL. Trent Williams will be 33 before the season starts and the Niners are paying him really good money for the next 3 years.
Smith has a lot of time left and he’s playing at a very high level. Like you mentioned, his contract is team friendly as hell, and the Cowboys would be absolutely insane to do anything other than plan on him being their LT going forward.
That’s why it would have been all-time dumb to draft an OT with the first round pick this year with the team’s defensive needs. Both Smith and Collins are going to be around for a while, and they’re a very good combo.
On the contrary, if I have just paid out a $160 million for a face of the franchise QB I am not sure my confidence is in taking the risk of a post season surgery success vice trading up for Sewell or taking Slater over Parsons.
I guess it's all in how the risk/reward outcome is perceived.
I thought the loss of starting olinemen to Mahommes and Rodgers further demonstrated their importance.
Not to mention the turnstiles that were Steele and Knight against Washington's starters and even NYG in the second game.
Imo, this team will go only as far as the starting olineman's health holds up.
Regardless of defense.
I mean unless Parsons can play a little swing tackle, lol.
Most back ups are backups for a reason.
Chaz Green wasn't so long ago that I've forgotten.
Let Smith or Collins go down... Or gosh forbid both.
The tune around here will change pretty quick.
So based upon all these reasons I guess my risk/reward opinion favors the drafting of the OL as a backup plan over the hope of post surgery success.
Not sure how dumb that is, but that's just my opinion.