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Dallas Cowboys O-Line Ranked Most Feared Unit in the NFL

By Erik Lambert

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La'el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La'el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La’el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) and offensive guard La’el Collins (71) and tackle Tyron Smith (77) line up during the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of reasons to feel confident going into 2017. They did just end up going 13-3 last season with two rookies leading the way.

Indeed the optimism surrounding quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott is undeniable. Together with Dez Bryant they seem to form the new generation of the Triplets. Sure there are concerns about the defense but such things can be smoothed over. Especially when a team has an offensive line the caliber of what the Cowboys have built.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, a former scout and current analyst, ranked the most feared position units in the league going into 2017. The Cowboys front five took the top spot, just beating out the Houston pass rush led by J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus. That’s a pretty clear statement about just how good this group is.

"“Say what you want about the immediate impact of Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott on the Cowboys’ return to prominence — the team’s recent success has been fueled by dominance from the offensive line. The Cowboys’ quintet demolishes defenders at the point of attack in the run game, resulting in huge lanes for the NFL’s reigning rushing king, while also providing a cocoon of protection for the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year on passing plays. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin are all former first-round picks — and all three were named first-team All-Pro in 2016. La’el Collins was a first-round talent in 2015, but he went undrafted after his name cropped up in a murder investigation (although he was never considered a suspect and was never charged with any crime). The Cowboys scooped him up as an undrafted free agent, and now he’s in line to be a full-time starter in 2017.”"

Rich get richer?

The interesting part that goes unmentioned in that statement by Brooks is their left guard situation. With Collins set to move to right tackle, who will replace him on the interior? Turns out recent addition Jonathan Cooper is the favorite. He too is a former 1st round pick. One of the highest drafted guard in the past couple decades. For whatever reason though he couldn’t quite get going in Arizona or New England. Imagine if he finds his stride in Dallas?

That would give them four former 1st rounders up front. The other, Collins, would’ve been if not for getting investigated for the death of his ex-girlfriend right before the draft. Either way it’s proof positive the Cowboys have stacked their front with a wealth of talent. Barring injuries it should be a force for the foreseeable future.

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