Why Cowboys should explore unpopular, recently waived player
The Dallas Cowboys have heavily suggested Tyler Smith has gone from the "future plan" to the "present plan" at left tackle. This is far from surprising. After Tyron Smith's hamstring injury, the Cowboys' only in-house viable option is the first-round draft pick they've developed as a guard this summer. But plans are fluid in the […]
The Dallas Cowboys have heavily suggested Tyler Smith has gone from the "future plan" to the "present plan" at left tackle. This is far from surprising. After Tyron Smith's hamstring injury, the Cowboys' only in-house viable option is the first-round draft pick they've developed as a guard this summer.
But plans are fluid in the NFL. And with many surprises going on around the league on cutdown day, all options must be considered by Dallas.
That includes offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, who was waived by the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday.
This one is a tough one. Leatherwood is a former first-round draft pick. And no, I don't mean it like when we're discussing a long-time veteran in the NFL that's not the same guy people expected years and years ago. No, we're talking about a 2021 first-round selection.
As such, you have to wonder: Is he really that bad? The Raiders are eating $8M in cap space to get rid of him. They got 31 negative answers when trying to deal the offensive tackle. Should the Cowboys completely forget about the idea just by knowing that?
Many will be quick to completely dismiss Leatherwood just because of how he failed in Las Vegas. And I don't blame them. It wasn't pretty at all. But here's a reality check for Cowboys fans who feel this way: Without Tyron Smith, the projected starting offensive line is a mediocre unit until proven otherwise.
The Cowboys need help. Both to start and for depth.
Leatherwood might be worth a low-risk bet. In the best-case scenario, he ends up earning a starting role at some point in the season. In the worst-case scenario, you don't spend much on him after picking him up on waivers. And, somewhere-in-the-middle case? Leatherwood provides valuable depth for an offensive line that doesn't have it.
He could come in and seek one of many potential roles. It doesn't even have to be to start at left tackle, which might be the riskiest of roles he could take on. He can be a swing tackle with starting upside and tools to develop (tools that made him a first-round prospect). Are you telling me we're sure Josh Ball is better?
And, hear me out, he could play left guard for the Cowboys and compete with McGovern. The latter is a huge question mark on this offense after failing to keep the starting job when given the chance last year.
The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler projected Leatherwood as a guard coming out of college.
"Overall, Leatherwood has the physical makeup to survive on the edges, but his long-term future might be better suited at guard, offering the position flexibility and steady temperament to be a Day 1 NFL starter," wrote Brugler in his 2021 Draft Guide.
Whether it's at tackle or guard, the former Alabama lineman's strength and tools should be enough to attract the Cowboys' attention. There are traits to work with in Leatherwood.
I'm not saying he's somebody the Cowboys MUST get on the team. But given the circumstances, he's worth exploring and discussing.
However, if Dallas is indeed interested, then they would have to wait to see if he makes it to them in waivers.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
