Post-draft team analysis: OL

gimmesix

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Starters: Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La'el Collins
Contenders: Cameron Fleming, Connor McGovern, Xavier Sua-Filo, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond, Jake Campos, Cody Wichmann, Mitch Hyatt, Larry Allen Jr., Derrick Puni, Brandon Knight

The Cowboys gave up 59 sacks last year. The offensive line wasn't completely to blame — Paul Alexander, who was fired and replaced by Colombo, bears some of the responsibility as does Dak Prescott — but there were definitely some problems with the unit that is supposed to be one of the strengths of the team.

One of the problems obviously was Travis Frederick missing the season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Joe Looney did an admirable job filling in for Frederick, but you don't lose an All-Pro without feeling the effects of it. Looney appears to actually be better than Frederick at pulling, but Frederick is stronger at the point of attack and, possibly even more important, we missed his ability to adjust the protection. Hopefully, he'll have made a full recovery and be back in the lineup, but it's good to know that Looney is at least a reliable backup.

Another issue was Tyron Smith's continuing problems with back tightness. He's had to miss games the past three seasons (three each year) and he didn't seem to be as dominant as he usually is (although the numbers don't support that.) Fortunately, Cameron Fleming proved to be a much more reliable backup than Chaz Green and Byron Bell. Since it can't be considered likely that Smith's back issues will get better, it's good that we re-signed Fleming. I do think it is a credit to Smith that he can still play as well as he has despite the ongoing issue.

The main weaknesses in pass protection (other than the line calls) was the left guard spot. Connor Williams gave up 4.5 sacks starting 10 games at left guard. Xavier Su'a-Filo gave up six in eight starts. (Right tackle La'el Collins gave up five in 16 starts. For comparison's sake, Looney was credited with one, Martin three, Smith zero, and Fleming 1.5 in three starts.) Williams' main problem was just size and power. He's technically very sound, but big DL would just knock him back or walk him back. However, he did handle that better when he returned to the starting lineup and he has put on muscle this offseason. Su'a-Filo has to be considered to be what he's going to be at this point in his career. The sack numbers were consistent with his previous two years in Houston. His power advantage over Williams helped the run game, but his struggles with technique in pass protection got him beat multiple times.

At right tackle, Collins is maligned on here because he's simply OK, instead of being great. He's an average starter in the league, which likely means that he'll leave in free agency next year because he'll look to get paid like he's better than average. That might not be a bad thing before Williams may be a better tackle than he is a guard. I don't know if Williams' strength deficiencies will ever completely go away, but he has good feet and uses good technique (which is where Collins struggles) that could make him a great fit at tackle, where he won't go up against as many powerful players as he did at guard. Drafting Connor McGovern could be a sign that Dallas is leaning that way, but the Cowboys also need better left guard play than it got last year, so he adds another option for that spot this year.

Although Dallas picked up some interesting UDFAs (Mitch Hyatt, Derrick Puni), it isn't likely there's going to be any room to carry them on the 53-man roster this year, unless one of them plays well enough to supplant Su'a-Filo. Adam Redmond would also be a contender for that roster spot, though.

ROSTER PREDICTION: We keep nine on the 53 (Smith, Williams, Frederick, Martin, Collins, Fleming, Su'a-Filo, Looney and McGovern) and the starting five remains the same as it was at the beginning and end of the season. I like the footage I've seen of Puni as a raw prospect and Hyatt appears to be at least fairly highly rated, so both of those could end up on the practice squad. Do we also try to get Larry Allen Jr. to fill out and become anything near what his father was?
 

Titleist

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Nice write-up, these kind of posts are the best part about the Zone. Drafting McGovern makes our OLine pretty deep with starter-quality talent. I've been out of the NFL loop for the past couple months - any updates on Fred's health and status for the upcoming season?
 

cowboyec

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very excited about this OL group.
McGovern could challenge for a spot this year.
I think Williams only gets better.
the McGovern pick and his ability to play C and G(he also played T)makes XSF expendable.
if Mitch Hyatt and Brandon Knight both play well....Dallas might decide to go long on OL and keep both on 53 because we probably dont get'm back to put on the p squad.
gonna be fun to watch.
 

TwentyOne

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Good post, appreciate your work.

And i do share your opinion about the final outcome of the OL roster.
 

gimmesix

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Slight correction just for clarity's sake: Williams started 10 games but not all of them were at left guard, which is why he and Su'a-Filo's starts add up to 18.

Also, I just got finished listening to Will McClay mentioning Brandon Knight, so he's another one of the UDFAs to keep an eye on.
 

Blackthorn

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I have concerns with La'el Collin undergoing surgery and re-gaining strength. Unlike most fans here, I really like him. He plays with a lot of power and his shoulder will be burdened with his style of play. As much as I want him to start, I would use a pencil to write him in the line-up instead of pen. I am also waiting to see with Frederick, if the team can write his name in with ink. All of the reports have been positive with both players, however the media seems to be as unreliable as zone supporters. Maybe I worry too much. When you think about it realistically though, Tyron has been plagued with back problems. He is a total stud for gritting it out and still playing with an elite level. Martin was hampered with an ankle/foot problem since last pre-season. I am thankful that Dallas drafted Connor McGovern, and have Xavier Sua-Filo, Joe Looney on the roster.

I really have to see training camp live and pre-season to ease-my-mind. I really want this unit to be the leagues best. I just don't want to get too hyped-up when there are so many red-flags.

If the game one season starters are Tyron Smith, a stronger Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La'el Collins with all of them 100% healthy then the Cowboys will completely dominate the league.
 
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gimmesix

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very excited about this OL group.
McGovern could challenge for a spot this year.
I think Williams only gets better.
the McGovern pick and his ability to play C and G(he also played T)makes XSF expendable.
if Mitch Hyatt and Brandon Knight both play well....Dallas might decide to go long on OL and keep both on 53 because we probably dont get'm back to put on the p squad.
gonna be fun to watch.

Knight's versatility to play guard and tackle could help him in that regard. If McGovern supplants Su'a-Filo, then it might be more important to keep a second backup who can play tackle. Of course, that's assuming we'd keep more than eight OL in that case. We've gone light on the OL the past few years, so we could do it again.

However, with the offensive analysis that I've done so far, I think I've predicted 24 players even with carrying the nine OL, so it would take an extra receiver, tight end or quarterback forcing his way on the roster to make us go with fewer on the OL, I believe.

I can't see us going with 10 OL because of players I think we'll keep at other positions, but it's always possible that someone will unexpectedly play so well that you can't risk them to waivers. I won't be surprised at all, though, if either Hyatt or Knight beats out Su'a-Filo. (I will be surprised if Puni does because I think he's too raw.)
 

gimmesix

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Whyjerry

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Starters: Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La'el Collins
Contenders: Cameron Fleming, Connor McGovern, Xavier Sua-Filo, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond, Jake Campos, Cody Wichmann, Mitch Hyatt, Larry Allen Jr., Derrick Puni, Brandon Knight

The Cowboys gave up 59 sacks last year. The offensive line wasn't completely to blame — Paul Alexander, who was fired and replaced by Colombo, bears some of the responsibility as does Dak Prescott — but there were definitely some problems with the unit that is supposed to be one of the strengths of the team.

One of the problems obviously was Travis Frederick missing the season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Joe Looney did an admirable job filling in for Frederick, but you don't lose an All-Pro without feeling the effects of it. Looney appears to actually be better than Frederick at pulling, but Frederick is stronger at the point of attack and, possibly even more important, we missed his ability to adjust the protection. Hopefully, he'll have made a full recovery and be back in the lineup, but it's good to know that Looney is at least a reliable backup.

Another issue was Tyron Smith's continuing problems with back tightness. He's had to miss games the past three seasons (three each year) and he didn't seem to be as dominant as he usually is (although the numbers don't support that.) Fortunately, Cameron Fleming proved to be a much more reliable backup than Chaz Green and Byron Bell. Since it can't be considered likely that Smith's back issues will get better, it's good that we re-signed Fleming. I do think it is a credit to Smith that he can still play as well as he has despite the ongoing issue.

The main weaknesses in pass protection (other than the line calls) was the left guard spot. Connor Williams gave up 4.5 sacks starting 10 games at left guard. Xavier Su'a-Filo gave up six in eight starts. (Right tackle La'el Collins gave up five in 16 starts. For comparison's sake, Looney was credited with one, Martin three, Smith zero, and Fleming 1.5 in three starts.) Williams' main problem was just size and power. He's technically very sound, but big DL would just knock him back or walk him back. However, he did handle that better when he returned to the starting lineup and he has put on muscle this offseason. Su'a-Filo has to be considered to be what he's going to be at this point in his career. The sack numbers were consistent with his previous two years in Houston. His power advantage over Williams helped the run game, but his struggles with technique in pass protection got him beat multiple times.

At right tackle, Collins is maligned on here because he's simply OK, instead of being great. He's an average starter in the league, which likely means that he'll leave in free agency next year because he'll look to get paid like he's better than average. That might not be a bad thing before Williams may be a better tackle than he is a guard. I don't know if Williams' strength deficiencies will ever completely go away, but he has good feet and uses good technique (which is where Collins struggles) that could make him a great fit at tackle, where he won't go up against as many powerful players as he did at guard. Drafting Connor McGovern could be a sign that Dallas is leaning that way, but the Cowboys also need better left guard play than it got last year, so he adds another option for that spot this year.

Although Dallas picked up some interesting UDFAs (Mitch Hyatt, Derrick Puni), it isn't likely there's going to be any room to carry them on the 53-man roster this year, unless one of them plays well enough to supplant Su'a-Filo. Adam Redmond would also be a contender for that roster spot, though.

ROSTER PREDICTION: We keep nine on the 53 (Smith, Williams, Frederick, Martin, Collins, Fleming, Su'a-Filo, Looney and McGovern) and the starting five remains the same as it was at the beginning and end of the season. I like the footage I've seen of Puni as a raw prospect and Hyatt appears to be at least fairly highly rated, so both of those could end up on the practice squad. Do we also try to get Larry Allen Jr. to fill out and become anything near what his father was?

In my opinion they need to put Williams on the outside and let Collins compete for G. I thought Collins was a T but he was terrible last year. Plus his cap hit is big. He will not be in Dallas next season. My starters would be Smith, Williams, Beard, Martin, and Collins (quick hook for him though). Fleming is the top T sub. McGovern and Looney are interior subs. Su'a-Filio and Collins should compete for that G spot. So I would keep 9. If Collins loses out to Su'a-Filo or McGovern, do you try to trade him? Connor Williams must play Tackle!!!
It is a strong group.
 

Stash

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For this team to be successful, this group needs to be very good or even dominant. They are as deep now as you could possibly hope for. Optimism abounds.

They certainly need to 'bounce back' to their former status and effectiveness. 2018 was not up to their prior standards.

With Frederick's return and the talent added, I firmly believe they can and will do just that.
 

cowboyec

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Knight's versatility to play guard and tackle could help him in that regard. If McGovern supplants Su'a-Filo, then it might be more important to keep a second backup who can play tackle. Of course, that's assuming we'd keep more than eight OL in that case. We've gone light on the OL the past few years, so we could do it again.

However, with the offensive analysis that I've done so far, I think I've predicted 24 players even with carrying the nine OL, so it would take an extra receiver, tight end or quarterback forcing his way on the roster to make us go with fewer on the OL, I believe.

I can't see us going with 10 OL because of players I think we'll keep at other positions, but it's always possible that someone will unexpectedly play so well that you can't risk them to waivers. I won't be surprised at all, though, if either Hyatt or Knight beats out Su'a-Filo. (I will be surprised if Puni does because I think he's too raw.)
agree.
its one of the areas I'll be watching this pre-season....I like both Hyatt and Knight.
they both could be real finds....Knight has a nastiness to his game I like and could make him a very difficult out.
Hyatt was a 4yr starter at Clemson....that ain't chump change....these 2 young'ns might be more than just depth pieces......one could be groomed to eventually step in for Smith.
who knows....one of'm just might be our new RT in 2020.
McGovern is whom Im most excited about.
his challenge to Connor Williams could be worth the price of admission.
The future looks bright for this OL.

excellent write-up by the way...thanx for the work.
 

Stash

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In my opinion they need to put Williams on the outside and let Collins compete for G. I thought Collins was a T but he was terrible last year. Plus his cap hit is big. He will not be in Dallas next season. My starters would be Smith, Williams, Beard, Martin, and Collins (quick hook for him though). Fleming is the top T sub. McGovern and Looney are interior subs. Su'a-Filio and Collins should compete for that G spot. So I would keep 9. If Collins loses out to Su'a-Filo or McGovern, do you try to trade him? Connor Williams must play Tackle!!!
It is a strong group.

I agree about Williams getting substantial reps at right tackle THIS YEAR. And I think he will, given Collins shoulder surgery that everyone forgets about.
 

gimmesix

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In my opinion they need to put Williams on the outside and let Collins compete for G. I thought Collins was a T but he was terrible last year. Plus his cap hit is big. He will not be in Dallas next season. My starters would be Smith, Williams, Beard, Martin, and Collins (quick hook for him though). Fleming is the top T sub. McGovern and Looney are interior subs. Su'a-Filio and Collins should compete for that G spot. So I would keep 9. If Collins loses out to Su'a-Filo or McGovern, do you try to trade him? Connor Williams must play Tackle!!!
It is a strong group.

Although I would like to see Williams be allowed to battle Collins at RT, I really think a more-developed Williams is seen as the best option at LG this year. I think that will keep him there while we actually let Connor McGovern develop.

The sack numbers show the flaws with Su'a-Filo, so I don't think we want him starting unless Williams flops. If McGovern comes on strong as a rookie, though, Dallas might look to move Williams. Moving Collins to guard would cover for the Williams move, but there doesn't seem to be any hint that Dallas is interested in moving Collins.
 

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agree.
its one of the areas I'll be watching this pre-season....I like both Hyatt and Knight.
they both could be real finds....Knight has a nastiness to his game I like and could make him a very difficult out.
Hyatt was a 4yr starter at Clemson....that ain't chump change....these 2 young'ns might be more than just depth pieces......one could be groomed to eventually step in for Smith.
who knows....one of'm just might be our new RT in 2020.
McGovern is whom Im most excited about.
his challenge to Connor Williams could be worth the price of admission.
The future looks bright for this OL.

excellent write-up by the way...thanx for the work.

And I've read that they gave Hyatt (maybe both he and Knight) done good guaranteed money to sign. Says to me that they'd really like to keep them around somehow.
 

gimmesix

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I agree about Williams getting substantial reps at right tackle THIS YEAR. And I think he will, given Collins shoulder surgery that everyone forgets about.

It's possible. I think since we're still trying to establish whether he's the best starting left guard on the roster, though, that we're less likely to divide his attention.

I may be being pessimistic, though, and Dallas will actually give Williams a fighting chance at proving he can be a better tackle than Collins.
 

cowboyec

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And I've read that they gave Hyatt (maybe both he and Knight) done good guaranteed money to sign. Says to me that they'd really like to keep them around somehow.
gonna be interesting to watch for sure.
if they go long on OL.....does that mean only 5 WRs?...or is it another position group they go short on because if these 2 play up to their potential,I dont think we get them back to put on the p squad.
 

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It's possible. I think since we're still trying to establish whether he's the best starting left guard on the roster, though, that we're less likely to divide his attention.

I don't see why that would be the plan if the long term plan isn't to have Williams playing right tackle. Why have him locked in al left guard this year when you have not one (Su'a Filo), not two (Looney), but three McGovern) options there? Add in Collins kissing most if not all of the offseason work and the time is NOW to give Williams work at RT. Having McGovern fall in their laps allows the process to be accelerated.
 

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gonna be interesting to watch for sure.
if they go long on OL.....does that mean only 5 WRs?...or is it another position group they go short on because if these 2 play up to their potential,I dont think we get them back to put on the p squad.

I think they're going 'short' at both QB and TE, at 2 and 3 players respectively. Not enough talent there to justify more than that at either position group.
 
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