With the loss of rookie offensive tackle Matt Waletzko for an undetermined amount of time, the Dallas Cowboys are in a pickle.
No designation has yet been made on Waletzko’s availability. At the moment, Josh Ball, Aviante Collins and Isaac Alarcon are the only extra offensive tackles on the roster.
Tyler Smith is the logical backup option at left tackle, it still leaves a hole on the right. Smith is purely practicing on the left side, leaving right tackle to be filled in by any number of questionable young players. Even with ownerships insistence that they won’t seek a veteran to fill the role.
Leaving a space filled with uncertainty and unease.
However, the Cowboys might be able to get a deal done for a young player with some promise. First reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, the Chicago Bears are taking calls for their 2020 second-round pick, OT Teven Jenkins.
The #Bears have received calls and have held trade talks centered around OT Teven Jenkins, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The former 2nd round pick has drawn interest based on his potential. A situation to watch.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2022
Jenkins was drafted with the belief that he could become the franchise left tackle. Injuries, the emergence of Braxton Jones and the signing of Riley Reiff have made Jenkins expendable.
With nagging back issues, he has shown from his time at Oklahoma State to the pros that he’s better suited to play right tackle instead of left. An ideal fit versus need for the Dallas Cowboys.
Depending on how his medicals look, he might fetch a decent pick. Considering it is only based on upside as well as value of the position, the most Chicago might get would be a sixth. Likely a seventh. In any case, it would theoretically give the Cowboys an upgrade for swing tackle while Waletzko gets healthy.
It is considered a matter of when, not if, Cowboys OT Matt Waletzko will undergo surgery on shoulder subluxation. Rookie fifth-round pick is not expected to practice this week. Shoulder issue has history, dating back to senior year at North Dakota.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 1, 2022
Remember, ownership has a relationship with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. He spent seven seasons in Dallas (2011-17) as the linebackers coach and passing game coordinator. A phone call for Jenkins might be exactly what both sides need.
An amicable break and a clean slate.
Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
