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‘The Next Frederick’? Or ‘Next Tyron’? Can Draft Fix Cowboys?

Originally posted on FanNation Cowboy Maven
By Richie Whitt | Last updated 3/19/24

The Dallas Cowboys let future Ring-of-Honor starting left tackle Tyron Smith sign with the New York Jets for a guaranteed contract of only $6.5 million. (Though in fairness we now know that his one-year cap hit is actually about $12 mil.)

Tyler Smith was originally slotted to be the heir apparent, but the team loves his production at left guard and seems hesitant to make the switch. On the current roster, there is no clear-cut replacement for Tyron.

Bottom line: Being "all out" on a left tackle destined for Canton means the Cowboys must be - no, this time we really mean it - "all in" on offensive line help in next month's NFL Draft.

But … where?

In his 3.0 version released this week, NFL.com draft guru Daniel Jeremiah echoes Dallas' obvious urgency. A month ago in his 2.0 mock draft, he projected the Cowboys to select Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton.

Now? With the 24th overall pick Jeremiah predicts they will draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

"Eleven years ago, the Cowboys took center Travis Frederick at the bottom of the first round and that worked out well," Jeremiah reasons. "They go back to the same formula with Powers-Johnson."

All well and good because, after the free-agent departure of Tyler Biadasz to join Dan Quinn and the NFC East rival Washington Commanders, the Cowboys need a new center. But the selection of Powers-Johnson won't do anything to fill the gaping void at left tackle left in the wake of an eight-time Pro Bowl star leaving town.

There are two sides to the critical coin. On the one hand, it’ll be challenging to use this draft to fill both holes. On the other hand, if Dallas finds “The Next Tyron” OR “The Next Travis”? That will count as a draft-day home run.

This article first appeared on FanNation Cowboy Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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