It's high time for the Cowboys to shop for a Hall of Fame insurance policy and all they have to do is call an old friend
It's the second week of NFL free agency and activity is dying down but when perusing the remaining available free agents, I can't help but think there's an opportunity the Dallas Cowboys must take advantage of. It's a chance to reunite with an old friend with a Hall of Fame resume and to purchase a much-needed […]
It's the second week of NFL free agency and activity is dying down but when perusing the remaining available free agents, I can't help but think there's an opportunity the Dallas Cowboys must take advantage of.
It's a chance to reunite with an old friend with a Hall of Fame resume and to purchase a much-needed insurance policy at one of the most crucial positions in the game of football: Left tackle.
I'm talking about none other than Tyron Smith.
I know, I know. Fans are likely thinking about the future more than they are about the past but humor me for a second, here. Last year, I was highly critical of the Cowboys' decision to allow Tyron Smith to leave in free agency. Even though I agreed it was time for a passing of the guard, I considered it would've been smart to draft a rookie tackle to develop and have him learn behind Smith.
The Cowboys instead opted for picking Tyler Guyton in the first round and losing Smith.
What I'm proposing this year is a slightly different plan: Why not bet on Guyton to be the starting left tackle but have Smith in the bench as a backup and a Plan B in case the former doesn't take the second-year jump expected of him?
At 34 years old and fresh off of a season which ended on an IR stint due to a neck injury, something that has been a recurring issue throughout Tyron's career, he's unlikely to be an expensive addition. And yet when healthy, though far from his prime, Smith is still one of the better left tackles in the game. At least, better than Guyton.
Since the Cowboys aren't quite contenders in a win now mode, I'm not even arguing for having Smith start over Guyton. The upside the second-year player provides is much more important as of now. But should he suffer an injury, having Smith ready to go would be of major help. He might not be someone you want to bet on to last 17 games healthy but in a pinch, he'd be one of the best backups in the league.
Not to mention, if in the middle of the season it turns out Guyton isn't progressing, he'd be a solid insurance policy to have at their disposal.
Pro Football Focus projects Smith to sign a one-year deal worth $8 million but if the market is low on him, which could be considering he's still out there, the right incentives structure could make him a feasible addition for Dallas.
With that being said, it might not only be the NFL teams' decision. Smith might not wish to continue playing at 34 years old and with a growing list of injuries. But he's someone to keep an eye out for.
Cowboys draft target is absolutely starting to sound like a possibility at No. 12 overall and it would be extremely controversial
Watch out for him as a potential pick.
