Do the Cowboys regret drafting Schoonmaker instead of Torrence?

Given the troubles the Cowboys have experienced across the O-line, will they come to regret picking a Luke Schoonmaker over O’Cyrus Torrence? @ReidDHanson wonders if they do already.

When the Cowboys went on the clock at Pick No. 58 in the 2023 NFL draft, they had a decision to make. Do they address the position group they almost picked in the first round, when they were debating between DT Mazi Smith and OL Andrew Bergeron? Or do they address the TE position that appeared to have an immediate opening and a waning number of players left on the board?

As everyone knows, Dallas opted for the second option, selecting TE Luke Schoonmaker in the second round instead of Florida OL O’Cyrus Torrence, and kicking the can on their offensive line concerns. It was a decision questioned at the time and three weeks into the regular season, it’s a decision that’s being questioned even more so today.

The Cowboys offensive line situation has been an adventure in 2023. Tyler Smith missed the first two games of the season nursing a hamstring. Various bumps and bruises over those first two weeks forced three other unproven linemen onto the field as well.

Then in Week 3, Tyler Biadasz, Tyron Smith and Zack Martin were all sidelined with their own injuries. Just three weeks in, only one lineman has started all three games at the same position; Terence Steele at RT.

At this point, there’s no question the Cowboys could have used another good offensive lineman on the roster. The Dallas reserves have put up a noble effort, but effort isn’t what wins games.

Head coach Mike McCarthy essentially admitted to a conservative offensive gameplan because of the status of his offensive line. That attack only netted the Cowboys one touchdown in five trips to the red zone.

One can conclude a better offensive line would have resulted in a much different result in Arizona and a much more secure future going forward.