Jeremy Fowler notes on Pickens and Bass

[deerhunter11]

I don’t think a 2nd was an option and that’s why the kept him

Right now I am glad Dallas hung on to T.J. Bass he is a talented backup Guard who can play at a high level. Bass plays with real strength, Dallas should be fine until Tyler Smith returns in 4 to 6 weeks.

 

[Gambit]

That nugget on Bass brings up an interesting discussion point.

It’s hindsight now maybe with Smith injured, but would people want that 2nd round draft selection if they moved Bass, or him staying around for this type of situation?

I was ok if someone took him. But sure glad they didn't.

 

[Nova]

If you look at all of his starts, the fact that he'sbacking up all three IOL positions, and his 2025 snap count, he's basically another starter. But he's also physically built like one, and more importantly, performed like one.

TJ Bass — 2025 Season Overview + RAS​

• Games Played: 16
• Games Started: 5 (three at right guard, two at left guard)
• Offensive Snaps: 352
• PFF Overall Grade: 67.6 — 30th of 81 qualified NFL guards
• PFF Pass-Block Grade: 62.9 — 36th of 81
• PFF Run-Block Grade: 65.8 — 34th of 81
• RAS: 8.21
• Pass-Blocking Efficiency: 99.0 — tied for 1st among NFL guards meeting snap requirements
• Sacks Allowed: 0
• Total Pressures Allowed: 4
• Penalties: 0

That 67.6 overall PFF grade ranked 30th among 81 qualified guards, putting him in roughly the top 37% of NFL guards.

He also delivered a 99.0 Pass-Blocking Efficiency rating, tied for 1st among qualifying NFL guards, while allowing zero sacks, four total pressures, and played the entire year without committing a single penalty.

He's a proven, highly athletic IOL who has demonstrated that he can step into the lineup and play at a legitimate NFL level.

As a proven player who actually plays quite a bit for us, he's objectively worth FAR more than an unproven 2nd-round pick. You're basically talking about trading that for a unproven potential Sam Williams, Kelvin Joseph, Schoonmacher?

Interior OL Games Missed Breakdown — 2025 Season​

• Tyler Smith (Guard/Tackle): Missed 1 game due to a knee injury.
• Tyler Booker (Guard): Missed 3 games due to a high-ankle sprain.
• Cooper Beebe (Center): Missed 6 games due to a right ankle/foot injury (sidelined from Weeks 3 through 8 before returning in Week 9).

That's 10 games missed by the projected starting interior OL. That's exactly why having a guy like Bass — someone who can play all three IOL spots and has already proven he can perform — has substantially more value than you're giving him credit for.

Personally, I put a little respect on his name seeing how he's earned it.

Yes. He and Hoffman were both starting caliber players.and Bass in particular is depth for all the positions. Because if Guyton gets hurt, Smith Kicks out to T and Bass covers Smith.

I think he’s a fantastic player. But he’s one we probably can’t keep long term, or at the very least, the decision is coming later (ex: does Smith replace Guyton?).

But yeah I’d take 2027 2nd round pick over him.

 

[StarW]

Yes. He and Hoffman were both starting caliber players.and Bass in particular is depth for all the positions. Because if Guyton gets hurt, Smith Kicks out to T and Bass covers Smith.

I think he’s a fantastic player. But he’s one we probably can’t keep long term, or at the very least, the decision is coming later (ex: does Smith replace Guyton?).

But yeah I’d take 2027 2nd round pick over him.

I mean, I won't be surprised if that's what pans out. I'm not surprised teams are trying now. It kind of makes you wonder if we should've drafted Booker and updraded at different position, but it's water under the bridge now. I'm glad we got him, too, since he panned out. Never can count your chickens. Go Cowboys!

 

[EPL0c0]

We said it often, TJ Bass is quality depth

and Quality depth is a luxury in the NFL

 

[Robster8989]

I’m just saying. Would you trade away the next man up for a high draft selection?

It’s a nuanced question.

If next man up can fill the role of a starter to keep the team afloat this year. Would it outweigh the potential, future benefits of a premium draft pick? Or the opposite?

I didn't see where a 2nd rounder was mentioned in the article, but if one was offered, of course you would take that deal. High draft picks are gold in this league (despite the Cowboys recent lack of success in Round 2).
A 2nd round pick is a high talent player on a cost controlled contract for 4 years (then the ability to control him even after that). I've always liked Bass, and I'm glad we have him. He may even blow up with the opportunity to start, but there are veteran interior OL usually available at fairly low cost. I'll mention guys like Kevin Zeitler and Dalton Risner.
So in your hypothetical, if a 2nd was offered for Bass you take that deal in a NY minute.

 

[J-man]

Pre-draft, yes I and they would have taken the 2nd rd pick. And I would assume that they would've addressed the o-line differently and maybe sooner than they did because of that.

But in hindsight, no way! And I'm glad they didn't get the offer. Bass is going to have to prove his worth these next few weeks. This early stretch of games ain't easy and he's going to be facing some very tough D lines. If he can't hold up we could be in for a very rough start to the season.