Best 5 offensive linemen

[erod]

If Collins is as good as advertised, and if Chaz Green shows promise in camp, there might be a real opportunity to trade Free for a valuable piece.

Tackles are high commodity, even average ones like Free. Perhaps that could fetch a defensive player, or be packaged for a running back from a cold-weathered state, don'cha know.

 

[Fmart322]

I disagree. The OL is a great position to talk/read about. I've never seen a group so highly selected in the draft, all so young, all together before. It's kinda unprecedented when you think about it, especially after the way the Cowboys couldn't draft OL in the past. We don't have to just discuss the weaker positions on the team. We're all excited about what this group can do.

This position is the last thing we should even talk about.

 

[Galian Beast]

They need to find the very best backup OT. In theory that should be Collins. If the top backup OT can beat out Free that would be good, but the primary focus should be finding that top backup. Is it Collins, Green or Weems?

The biggest issue with Collins focusing on Guard and having Green or Weems as the backup OT is that they only have 7 active on game day. With Bernadeau as the backup Center, that would put either Leary or Collins on the inactive list.

If Collins struggles playing on the Right and Green or Weems is clearly better, then move Collins to OG, but IMO, he should be given all possible chances to win the backup OT spot. If he excels there then he could also push Free for the starter's job.

It would be good if someone else could be the game day backup Center because that would give them the option to have Bernadeau on the inactive list. I think Martin could probably do it. They had him practice there a little last year in TC.

Leary will be a restricted Free Agent next season so they don't need to give him a contract. It will cost about 3.3M to use the 1st round tender or 2.2M to use the 2nd round tender on him. That give them plenty of time to decide if they eventually want to give him a contract in 2017.

Any of the young OTs could probably move to Guard. They all have that type of build. Gibson is probably the least likely, but the other 3 have the build to play either.
Collins 6'4-1/2", 306
Green 6'4-1/2", 314
Weems 6-5, 320

The current starters plus Bernadeau are 6 spots. If they keep 10, all of the previously mentioned young guys could make the roster. A broken finger is probably not enough to put Gibson on IR, but that would make things easier. I don't see him being ready to contribute in 2015 because he is far less developed than Green/Collins.

I could envision the 2017 OL as follows:
LT Tyron
LG Collins or Green (Leary was tended for 2016 and moves on in 2017)
OC Fred
RG Martin (also serves as the game-day backup Center)
RT Collins or Green (Free lost starters job in 2016 and moves on in 2017)
Top backup Guard Weems (This is obviously the least likely as Weems has yet to even practice at Guard)
Top backup OT Gibson

Leary will be an UFA this year.

 

[xwalker]

Leary will be an UFA this year.

No, he was ERFA for 2015. That indicates be will be RFA next year.

 

[Brooksey]

This will be the offensive line in two years,

Smith - Collins - Frederick - Martin - Green

Collins is a left guard in the NFL with his skill set, not the best lateral movement for an NFL tackle..Leary is the weak point and is gone after this year, Dallas isn't going to offer starter money when he'd be the backup. Free is signed for three years at starter money, so he's starting at right tackle in Dallas and he's the vocal Vet/leader of this offensive line

Collins will be our RT, IMO. I highly doubt we kick him in to LG. Leary is 24 years old, by the time his knee is bad (if it ever goes bad) that will be more like 5-6 years.

 

[Garrettop]

Here's a thought: What if Free gets moved to LG and Collins is left at RT? Can anyone with more knowledge on the subject speak to that possibility? If Free's recent injury history is slowing him some, would it possibly extend his career to move inside, or does he lack the skillset to play well on the interior and/or on the left side?

 

[The Quest for Six]

Collins will be our RT, IMO. I highly doubt we kick him in to LG. Leary is 24 years old, by the time his knee is bad (if it ever goes bad) that will be more like 5-6 years.

Collins doesn't have the lateral foot movement for an NFL tackle, and he's never played right tackle..his skill set for the NFL is at left guard and to be a dominant one...he's an upgrade over Leary who's contract is up after this year...Free will be the right tackle, his new three year deal indicates that..

 

[xwalker]

Here's a thought: What if Free gets moved to LG and Collins is left at RT? Can anyone with more knowledge on the subject speak to that possibility? If Free's recent injury history is slowing him some, would it possibly extend his career to move inside, or does he lack the skillset to play well on the interior and/or on the left side?

Free's best asset is quickness.

Free's biggest weakness is a lack of strength.

 

[xwalker]

Collins doesn't have the lateral foot movement for an NFL tackle, and he's never played right tackle..his skill set for the NFL is at left guard and to be a dominant one...he's an upgrade over Leary who's contract is up after this year...Free will be the right tackle, his new three year deal indicates that..

I disagree on Collins. He has better quickness than several NFL RTs. Look at Loadholt in Minn.

 

[Garrettop]

Free's best asset is quickness.

Free's biggest weakness is a lack of strength.

I thought he wasn't particularly fast or strong, rather he performed well or poorly based on his attention to technique. That doesn't rule out a shift to the inside unless he simply can't handle the average additional 20lbs on DTs or whatever it is.

 

[conner01]

I'm excited that Dallas got Collins but he still has to go out and prove himself, no one is just going to hand him their jobs. Leary and Free have been through the NFL wars it falls to Collins to go out and earn a spot.

Exactly
Collins is a good prospect but he has to beat out one of two good experienced players
We won't know till camp if he can beat either out
Just the fact guard is easier than tackle I think the odds of him winning there is a bit better but that's what camp is for

 

[JPostSam]

This will be the offensive line in two years,

Smith - Collins - Frederick - Martin - Green

Collins is a left guard in the NFL with his skill set, not the best lateral movement for an NFL tackle..Leary is the weak point and is gone after this year, Dallas isn't going to offer starter money when he'd be the backup. Free is signed for three years at starter money, so he's starting at right tackle in Dallas and he's the vocal Vet/leader of this offensive line

Bernadeau has made a darn good living as a backup. If Collins beats out Leary, ol' Ronald would be a very valuable backup, and it would prolong his career.

 

[jaybird]

I'd like Leary to stay in the starting lineup too because I think he's very underrated and he has age on his side. I don't agree with people who say he's the weak link on the OL. There were many times last year when he looked like the best OL on the team.

That being said, I have the feeling Leary will be the odd man out. For one, Collins is projected to have the potential to be an elite OG and good OT (like Martin was). I'm all for playing players at their strength. Also, the other rookie we brought in projects to be nothing but a RT in the NFL. Lastly, Leary does have the degenerative knee issue and the Cowboys have seemed hesitant to give him a long term deal.

Summed up perfectly. Some nice problems to have
Frees age vs. Learys dengenerate knee concern

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Problem solved. Ryan Clady tore his ACL. Let's trade Doug Free to the Broncos.

 

[Galian Beast]

No, he was ERFA for 2015. That indicates be will be RFA next year.

You are correct, sir.

 

[xwalker]

I thought he wasn't particularly fast or strong, rather he performed well or poorly based on his attention to technique. That doesn't rule out a shift to the inside unless he simply can't handle the average additional 20lbs on DTs or whatever it is.

No, he is really quick. His quickness allows him to overcome a lack of strength. They also avoid having him power block in the run game. He would get overpowered if matched against a big DT.

 

[Brooksey]

Collins doesn't have the lateral foot movement for an NFL tackle, and he's never played right tackle..his skill set for the NFL is at left guard and to be a dominant one...he's an upgrade over Leary who's contract is up after this year...Free will be the right tackle, his new three year deal indicates that..

Collins is a perfect right tackle, Leary is not going anywhere, keep listening to mel kiper lol

 

[The Quest for Six]

Collins is a perfect right tackle, Leary is not going anywhere, keep listening to mel kiper lol

Based on what...He's never played right tackle.....

 

[Corso]

Based on what...He's never played right tackle.....

Faith... My kind too:

 

[Brooksey]

If you can play the left at a high level , the right should be easier, he's a mauler. He played tackle and will be our RT of future... book it. He's not unseating Ron Leary because its a fantasy to some based on his UDFA draft status.