RT's We Could Realistically Acquire

[shabazz]

You're nuts. If Brown continues at this rate he'll have 34 TDs this year. Personally I think he has another gear...

I digress... I just don't have the vision others do.

Well done, cuz.

 

[75boyz]

Mostly agree - I'm just going to disagree with the bolded. Should be replaced, yes. Will? How? We just don't have the guys to do it. Most likely we will regret going into the season with those two and let's be honest, nothing behind them. Sure we could move Tyler73 and play Bass, but if they wanted to move him they would have. I am happy with a lot of the moves this team made this offseason, but beyond perplexed with OT right now. We MUST bring in a vet at some point. How this team watched those two play the last 2 years in a row and still went through another offseason thinking we are good enough at OT and don't need to bring in a real safety net or even starter is more than a little maddening

Brother, if I could give you a hug I would. Rather than my constant rants on this ongoing tackle problem, you summed everything up very well here.
Great post and I appreciate you.

 

[fivetwos]

The positional importance of left tackle(or both tackles on this team) over rides both the salary cap contract and player acquisition risk in this case for me.

While I can respect yours and others offensive tackle opinions, if it doesn't include to acquire Decker or someone near Decker's level starting ability to start at tackle then I would strongly disagree.

To me, Guyton and Steele are scrubs as passblockers and won't hold up this full season and will be replaced based on performance or injury or both before the regular season ends.

That's me.

I fully agree and if he is cleared to play, I’d have him here yesterday.

Now let’s go to the decision maker level. They spent a precious first rounder on a LT, and gave the RT a huge contract. They feel as if they have done their part and now want the ROI.

While every day I check in here hoping to see “Signed by Cowboys..” but it’s not gonna happen. There’s just no way.

If this team is reasonably good but struggles in pass protection I’m gonna lose my mind. I’ve seen the damn film. Again Jerry? For a few million?? Come on.

 

[erod]

I get the concern, but how many teams are solid across the entire offensive line with significant depth?

And if they are, they have big holes at other positions.

 

[Whyjerry]

Can’t have steak at every position.

Bingo.

 

[75boyz]

I think people are not taking into account that what he wanted when he couldn't come to an agreement on a contract with Detroit may not be in the same ball park as what he will settle for now. Also, if he walks in as a starting OT that's a pretty valuable asset for a team. Now, is he healthy and does the team even think he is good enough to play? I don't know the answer to that, but what are the odds he is worse than BOTH Steele and Guyton. I mean even if one plays better this year do we really think there is much of a chance that both do? And again, the cap is not an issue unless he is looking for well over $10M per. Maybe he is, I don't know

I love you man.

 

[Centex]

I wonder if Tyron Smith could/would step in if it looked like Dallas might make a deep run and it wouldn’t be a waste of his time. Maybe two years off and his back is finally healed.

 

[Kwyn]

No one is coming in that can be any better than Steele.
Outside of a trade. And that will not happen.

Steele is not as bad as the loud fans claim. Don’t be a sheep.

He’s below average according to almost any standard and we just have to live with that because help is not on the way.

And this flock has plenty of sheep on both sides of any argument.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is why Ferguson will continue to be forced to help Steele, vs getting up the seam.

Wait, what? Don't think that is the case at all my friend.

 

[Chasing6]

Wait, what? Don't think that is the case at all my friend.

Go back and watch tape from last season.

 

[Chasing6]

Wait, what? Don't think that is the case at all my friend.

In the 2025 season, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was frequently utilized in max-protection schemes and heavy play-action looks, being asked to chip edge rushers on a notable portion of his pass-play assignments (with check-and-release and flat routes jumping to 43 targets) to compensate for pass-protection liabilities at tackle. While tracking exact proprietary "chip rate" snap counts isn't published as an official league-wide flat percentage, film reviews and route-data breakdowns highlight that this extra blocking responsibility majorly contributed to his career-low average depth of target (5.0 yards) and reduced yards per reception (7.3).

 

[Chasing6]

Do you think saying this so many times makes it true or something?

In the 2025 season, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was frequently utilized in max-protection schemes and heavy play-action looks, being asked to chip edge rushers on a notable portion of his pass-play assignments (with check-and-release and flat routes jumping to 43 targets) to compensate for pass-protection liabilities at tackle. While tracking exact proprietary "chip rate" snap counts isn't published as an official league-wide flat percentage, film reviews and route-data breakdowns highlight that this extra blocking responsibility majorly contributed to his career-low average depth of target (5.0 yards) and reduced yards per reception (7.3).

Do you think not understanding the game, makes your delusions reality?

 

[Xizor]

I don't know much about the availability of RT's around the league. I've long thought that this season's success largely hinges on the OT play, and it sounds like Steele is going to be a huge liability based on the reporting thus far. What are some options around the league to upgrade the position and what would it realistically cost?

I'd keep an eye on one of these teams. They already have good offensive lines so they may not be able to keep everyone.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

can't have hamburger and contend

When that hamburger is from Longhorn Cafe or Babe's Old Fashioned you sure as hell can.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Take the shoulder risk on Decker and sign him to play LT while moving Guyton to Steeles RT spot.
Do it yesterday.

This is probably your best shot at finding a quality starter this time of year. What were Decker's PFF(or whatever metric) grades last season?

Edit: I looked it up. Looks like about league average, so definitely an upgrade.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/taylor-decker/10650

Taylor Decker was an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions who earned a 67.9 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season, 41st among 89 qualified offensive tackles. He played 894 offensive snaps on the season.
His PFF pass-blocking grade of 69.5 ranked 45th among 89 qualified offensive tackles. His run-blocking grade of 62.1 ranked 57th at the position.
He allowed 33 total pressures in pass protection. That total included 2 sacks and 3 hits allowed to opposing pass rushers. He was flagged for 5 penalties over the course of the season.

 

[thunderpimp91]

In the 2025 season, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was frequently utilized in max-protection schemes and heavy play-action looks, being asked to chip edge rushers on a notable portion of his pass-play assignments (with check-and-release and flat routes jumping to 43 targets) to compensate for pass-protection liabilities at tackle. While tracking exact proprietary "chip rate" snap counts isn't published as an official league-wide flat percentage, film reviews and route-data breakdowns highlight that this extra blocking responsibility majorly contributed to his career-low average depth of target (5.0 yards) and reduced yards per reception (7.3).

Do you think not understanding the game, makes your delusions reality?

That AI? Eh doesn’t matter I guess…I tell you what, name for me just 1 game where Ferg had a substantially higher amount of blocking responsibilities than other TEs. I’ll chart the game for both teams TEs and report back within 1 maybe 2 days tops the number of full routes, full blocking responsibilities, and chips/late releases.

 

[CWR]

There are a couple of vets who might be able to give you some stability but you're really not going to find anything better than we have as a UFA at this point. More realistically, it could be around trade deadline for a pending free agent.

Austin Jackson - Miami
Jawaan Taylor - Atlanta
Ike Ekwonu/Rasheed Walker - Carolina
Ryan Vandermark - Min

Just some guys on bad teams who are pending free agents and could probably give you some good snaps.

Miami might make a deal. I dont believe the other 3 teams are admitting any form of defeat yet. Miami knows they are rebuilding.

 

[Whyjerry]

Kids our LT sucks too.

 

[75boyz]

Kids our LT sucks too.

But all the media reports said "he had a great offseason, did the right things, beat out Nate Thomas and was vastly improved."

You mean to tell me he still stinks after all of that?

Surely the media and Cowboy Zoners can't both be wrong!

 

[John813]

There are a couple of vets who might be able to give you some stability but you're really not going to find anything better than we have as a UFA at this point. More realistically, it could be around trade deadline for a pending free agent.

Austin Jackson - Miami
Jawaan Taylor - Atlanta
Ike Ekwonu/Rasheed Walker - Carolina
Ryan Vandermark - Min

Just some guys on bad teams who are pending free agents and could probably give you some good snaps.

Just wanted to note, Austin Jackson looked like he was going to at least become a solid starter at RT 2-3 years ago.
Injuries sort of made him meh. His durability is also a concern.

Good list, but I rather ride and die with Steele over Jackson lol