Cowboys must prioritize 3rd-round pick's ceiling in potential OL shuffle

[Chasing6]

Isn't Hoffman just a RFA next year? He won't be expensive to keep for another year.

He was this year. The fact we only signed him to a 1 year deal might be telling or GM Jethro just making another mistake.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I guess I'm not completely sure....Spotac lists him as a UFA for 2026. Technically though he would be a 3 year guy with an expired contract so he would fit the RFA rules. Maybe you cant be a RFA after being a ERFA? Not sure the specifics on the rules there.

He was an ERFA this year, OvertheCap has him as an RFA next year. Will be interesting to know for sure.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

He was this year. The fact we only signed him to a 1 year deal might be telling or GM Jethro just making another mistake.

He was an exclusive rights free agent this year. Not a RFA. He literally had no power to go anywhere.

 

[speedkilz88]

He was an ERFA this year, OvertheCap has him as an RFA next year. Will be interesting to know for sure.

He was a practice squad guy in 2022 for the majority of the season. 2023, 2024, 2025 would be only 3 years.

The only issue would be tendering a undrafted player. They might only give him original pick tender which would only give them right of first refusal.

 

[plasticman]

The offensive line should never be considered "set". There should be a never-ending goal of improvement every season.

We have seen how injuries can devastate an entire squad and injuries to the O-line effect every other position on offense as well as the defense.

It only takes a few injuries to turn a highly productive O-line into a sieve.

I like the idea of preparing the O-lineman to play at multiple positions in the event they are called upon to do so.

The five best healthy O-linemen should be on the field.

 

[Gambit]

I would think a 3rd round pick, if used on OL, is going to be more of a Hoffman replacement for 2026 after he walks in free agency for a comp pick than legitimate competition for 2025. You already have guys on the roster who can start in this league. Either look for serious upgrades to the OL or go ahead and lock these guys into spots for this year so they can focus on getting reps at one spot and focus on gelling as a unit the second that mini camp starts.

I don't see Hoffman generating a comp pick worthy contract.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

We really needs to stop lying to ourselves and saying that a new blocking scheme and technique is going to turn a bad OL into one of the better units in football. At some point you have to actually improve the talent level of your team and admit that coaches are not miracle workers. With new schemes there is room for growth for each individual player, but you also open up the possibility of regression for others.

Trust the process!!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Hoffman is the most overrated player on the team IMO. He gets a lot of play because he's scrappy, has attitude, talks trash, etc. Start him at OG on a better team like 21-23 and people would be clamoring to replace him. He's too small.

I say just be happy to have a cheap guy who can back up at G and C and leave it at that.

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

I woukd be fine ignoring OL completely in the draft. Let these coaches do.their job and re-evaluate next off season. They've put themselves in a position where they have to have WR 2, CB RB QB LB and DT in this draft to be even a viable football team come September.

And more than likely will be in the same position next year as they love 1 year contracts which leaves us scrambling for depth every March.

 

[Havic]

You want the best 5 linemen on the field now. I agree with the poster above. We have so many holes, I’d be surprised if an ol was picked unless someone slid