For the better part of the past decade, the Cowboys have been known for the strength of their offensive line. Featuring multiple All-Pros and a bounty of first rounders and Day 2 selections, cracking the the starting lineup seemed like an impossible task for young offensive lineman looking to establish themselves in the league. However, with the Cowboys OL in a state of transition, the odds for playing time for someone like Cody Wichmann have never been better; but he’ll still have to earn it, just like everyone else.
Dallas ran out nine different starting offensive lineman last season. Three of those players (Travis Frederick, Cam Fleming and Xavier Su’a-Filo) are not returning in 2020, opening avenues for playtime that typically is not available to the fringes of the roster.
Enter Wichmann, the sixth-year, 6-foot-5, 28-year-old offensive guard who’s made 18 NFL starts in his career.
Originally a 2015 sixth-round pick (No. 215 overall) of the St. Louis Rams, all of Wichmann’s playing time stems from his first two NFL seasons. He spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons on practice squads for Tennessee and the Cowboys, before a calf injury late in the preseason ended his 2019 before it began. Wichmann will have another opportunity to claim a roster spot this season, but must overcome several other candidates to do so.
Known Starters
Tyron Smith
Zack Martin
La’el Collins
Competing for Two Spots
Connor Williams
Connor McGovern
Joe Looney
Tyler Biadasz
Competing for 53-man roster
Cam Erving
Wichmann
Adam Redmond
Brandon Knight
Mitch Hyatt
Terence Steele
Marcus Henry
Wyatt Miller
Erving, a former first-round pick, is largely expected to be the swing tackle and earn the eighth OL spot on the roster, which will unlock the 48th spot on game-day rosters. Wichmann will compete with Redmond, Henry and Miller for the interior depth roles.
Wichmann was first signed by Dallas before the 2018 season, and was retained on a reserve/futures contract in 2019. In college, Wichmann was a two-time All-Mountain West selection at Fresno State, where he started 50 games for the Bulldogs, helping protect QB Derek Carr in a high-powered offense. While Wichmann hasn’t played a snap for Dallas, he has experience the team could eventually lean on.
For the Rams, Wichmann served as key offensive line depth during his first two seasons. Pressed into action due to injuries, he made seven starts in 2015, and 11 in 2016 before being waived in 2017. It may not be much, but that time, combined with his practice squad experience, gives Wichmann a leg up on those who’ve yet to embark on their NFL journeys. Also, the expansion of practice squad (10 to 12) and active rosters (53 to 55) should benefit players like Wichmann, who have some experience and are capable of filling in as needed.
Regardless of the path his career takes, Wichmann has made the most of the opportunities afforded to an NFL player. Last summer, returned to his hometown Mariposa County High School to work with the football team, teaching them NFL techniques and drills.
Said coach Robert Stitt: “It was great because some of our players had no idea who Cody Wichmann is. Then they see this big guy out there. He caught their attention really quick.”
This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 77 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is offensive tackle Tyron Smith.
| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory | Gerald McCoy | Dorance Armstrong |
| L.P. Ladouceur | DeMarcus Lawrence | Blake Jarwin | CeeDee Lamb |
| Cole Hikutini | Dalton Schultz | Noah Brown | Sean McKeon |
| Ventell Bryant | Jon’vea Johnson | Blake Bell | Justin Hamilton |
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