Options for the Cowboys’ O-line interior
FRISCO, Texas — Now that we’ve discussed the situation at offensive tackle, including our assessment **of prospective free agent Tyron Smith**, it’s time to focus equally on determining what’s happening inside that same Dallas Cowboys offensive line.
Contract negotiations took center stage during last summer’s training camp; some deals went through smoothly, while others—like Zack Martin’s—were anything but.
After a single protest and a revised agreement, the future Hall of Fame right guard returned to the field. However, after a year, well, let’s talk about that and a lot more — the Cowboys are left with questions at starting center and, for the time being, backup guard.
Zack Martin: When I examined the interior of the offensive line in a recent “What’s Next?” column, I raised an uncomfortable subject, and unless a contract extension is signed with the future Hall of Fame right guard before 2025, the question mark will only get brighter over the next few months. Given that the former is approaching a contract year in 2024, it’s time to start talking about the post-Martin era in addition to the post-[Tyron] Smith one.
Before the next season ends, Martin will also be 34 years old. While he is still unquestionably the best at his position, he has recently battled through more injuries—thankfully minor ones—than in his typical ironman past. He remained in the camp in 2023 in order to secure a pay increase, which he got, but only void years from 2025 through 2027 were added.
I see it happening before Martin even gets a whiff of free agency because it would be unthinkable to not extend him from a production and need perspective, as well as to ensure he retires a Cowboy; but you can never be sure.
In any case, the circumstance emphasizes how crucial depth is for the offensive line interior at this time.
Tyler Biadasz: The starting center for the team, however, has no contract for 2024 or later. When the league season begins on March 13, he will be an unrestricted free agent, marking the first time in his brief NFL career. The Cowboys will need to look for an upgrade right away, possibly in free agency, on the current roster, and with a premium pick in the draft, if they can’t agree on a new contract for the former Pro Bowl (2022) center.
That’s because they have to cover all of their bases and can’t afford to back down at such a crucial juncture, which is another situation in which a player like Brock Hoffman enters the picture. The 24-year-old, who was undrafted out of Virginia Tech in 2022, was impressive in 2023 when he filled in for various interior offensive line roles. Hoffman will have the best chance to win the job in 2024 if Biadasz is not selected, but it will be much harder for him to succeed if a top pick is selected in April.
The good news for the Cowboys is that even though Martin and Biadasz’s futures are uncertain, they should feel extremely optimistic about having Tyler Smith, an All-Pro, at left guard for the foreseeable future and developing talent like T.J. Bass. This is especially true considering how problematic O-line depth was not too long ago—last summer, to be exact.
Though it isn’t anymore, things do change, so plan for them (for example, Asim Richards will be working on interiors this summer).
Unless they sign a new contract with their current team before March 13, these players will be free agents.
In free agency, I will undoubtedly concentrate more on the center position because I have so much faith in Tyler Smith and Zack Martin, two young, strong guards who can play both left and right guard.
Connor Williams: Given that Dallas seems to be in the mood for reunions (see Mike Zimmer and La’el Collins, among others), how about giving Williams, 27, another chance? He went from working his way up to the Cowboys’ starting left guard position to becoming a productive center on the potent Dolphins offensive line. Naturally, there is familiarity here that would enable Williams to take over quickly and establish himself as Dallas’ starting center in the event that Biadasz and the team part ways.
Williams would also be returning home as he was born and raised in Dallas, Texas (Coppell, TX).
Williams’s injury, which he is still recovering from, is a drawback. It’s possible that he will report to training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which could also result in a reduction in his asking price. Additionally, his film compares to and occasionally surpasses Biadasz’s performance in 2023 as a run blocker, which is significant for a Cowboys offense trying to strengthen its ground game.
Andre James Unlike Williams a former second-round pick, James entered the league as an undrafted player in 2019 after being plucked from UCLA by the Las Vegas Raiders. Like Williams, though, he persevered to earn a starting position. The 26-year-old has made 49 starts in his career, 48 of which came in the last three seasons.
A great starting center, I just wonder how much he will ask for, since it doesn’t seem like the Raiders are willing to let him go. James is a viable option if you’re searching for a veteran starter, but only after first consulting with Williams, who I believe to be a better option in terms of both production and possibly cost.
Lloyd Cushenberry III: Cushenberry is a name worth looking into, even if it conjures up images of a British Duke. Yes, he has struggled in Denver, but it seems primarily because of the rotating group of coaches he has been forced to learn under since joining the league in 2020. His skill set, which is based on nothing less than a strong anchor and includes a lot of strength in his large, heavy hands, is something I truly like.
Williams is one of the better center run blockers available in free agency, but I would also contend that Cushenberry outperforms Williams in pass protection. The 26-year-old, a former third-round selection out of LSU (also a national champion), is used to playing in front of large crowds (hey, Dallas). Despite some setbacks in his rookie season, he was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, which is evidence of his high ceiling.
In the end, I think the Cowboys will select their center in the draft, maybe even in the first round, but it’s best to cover all the bases now.
