When the Cowboys drafted Asim Richards from North Carolina in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft, many called it a steal. The 38-game starter had a track record of success in college. He was a technically sound prospect with loads of experience and proven durability. It was believed the main thing he lacked, strength, was something a year in the weight room could fix.
For roughly three years the Cowboys have been trying to turn a Day 3 draft pick into a viable NFL OT. There is reason to believe the third time is the charm with Dallas’ selection of Richards. Looking at contributions, he’s already ahead of his two Day 3 predecessors.
Josh Ball was selected No. 138 in the 2021 draft. After suffering a soft tissue injury in the hip/groin area, he landed on IR contributing zero snaps his rookie season. Matt Waletzko was then selected 155th in the 2022 draft but he only gave Dallas one offensive snap in his rookie year. Richards’ 39 snaps his rookie season are modest but technically blow both of the other guys’ rookie numbers out of the water.
It’s not the snaps he did get, but rather the reports coming from around the team that lead many to be optimistic about Richards’ future.
Gaining experience, however miniscule, at LG, RG, and LT should payoff down the road. Richards, 6-foot-4, 307-pounds, might not have fit Dallas’ prototype at OT but his 35-inch arms put him in rarefied air as a tackle prospect (pro day measurement).