There are a number of free agent offensive linemen who can help the Cowboys.
With the projected starting lineup at offensive line of Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, Brock Hoffman at right guard, and Terence Steele at right tackle, the Cowboys could realistically play a game tomorrow with the current roster layout. But the goal should be to improve that unit, both in run blocking and pass protection.
While the Cowboys likely are not going to bench or move on from Guyton after only one year, they will need to add some quality competition to push him in training camp. Same should go for Terence Steele and Brock Hoffman, the projected starting right tackle and right guard.
Thankfully, the free agency market is loaded with quality offensive linemen, and they could find viable competition that will not break the bank in the free agency. Let us take a look at some of the most realistic fits.
Drew Dalman, OC, Atlanta Falcons
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As we stated above, the Cowboys currently have a quality starting center in Cooper Beebe. But as we all know, Beebe was new to the center position in 2024 and was primarily a guard at Kansas State. The Cowboys just recently hired Conor Riley to be the team’s offensive line coach under Brian Schottenheimer. Riley spent years at Kansas State as the team’s offensive line coach. Could he push for Beebe to return to guard where he played most of his snaps for him at Kansas State? Moving Beebe back to guard and adding Drew Dalman, who has been a top five center in the NFL over the last two years, would likely be a big improvement to the Cowboys offensive line.
Dalman, just 26 years old, is projected to receive a contract in the $11.5m avg/year range according to PFF. While that is more money than the Cowboys normally like to spend in free agency, shoring up the offensive line for the long-term would be well worth the investment for the Cowboys.
Kevin Zeitler, OG, Detroit Lions
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With Zack Martin retiring, the right guard spot is one of the bigger voids the Cowboys could be looking to fill this offseason. Kevin Zeitler would be an excellent short-term answer to the big question mark.
Zeitler is nearing the end of his career but is still playing at an extremely high-level in the NFL. At 35-years-old, Zeitler will be likely looking to sign a one-year deal, and Pro Football Focus projects the Detroit Lions right guard to receive a one-year, $6.25M million deal this offseason. Zeitler has been a staple of the Lions’ and Ravens’ success on offense over the last few years and would bring stability and nastiness to the Cowboys offensive line that it has lacked for some time now.
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Cleveland Browns
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Here is one of my favorite free agent fits for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Jedrick Wills, a former first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, is heading into free agency after battling through injuries and not playing his best football over the last few seasons. That is music to the Jones’ ears, as it means they can get a talented player at a reduced cost.
Wills, a primary right tackle in college at Alabama, has played primarily left tackle at the NFL level. Wills has experience playing both left and right tackle and could push for a starting spot at either spot this offseason with a good showing in camp. Wills came into the league as one of the best young offensive tackles in the game before battling injuries in his last few seasons. Wills is projected to receive a one-year, $3M deal this offseason, providing the Cowboys with a low-risk, high-reward tackle option behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.
