The Cowboys decision to draft an OT in the draft is looking smarter by the day, says @ReidDHanson.
The Cowboys front office is living in a cloud of criticism following their tragically disappointing offseason that seemed more concerned with saving money than improving the roster. But not all offseason decisions from the front office deserve criticism. In fact, some deserve praise.
The 2024 NFL draft, an event that feels eons ago but was really just three months back, had Cowboys Nation fairly split. Some fans prioritized offensive tackle while others wanted center. Some were open to a running back while others saw value at receiver. Linebackers headlined some lists while defensive tackle took center stage on others.
Plagued with more roster needs than premium draft picks, the Cowboys had to get creative an prioritize as they made their selections. A compelling argument could be made for any of the above stated positions, but some clearly stuck out as more important than others.
Positional value is something discussed every year, yet every year it’s met with resistance. The idea that some positions are more impactful than others, makes sense in theory but in application, is often met with resistance.
The drafting of Tyler Guyton in the first round illustrated some of that resistance. Guyton, an OT, filled a need in Dallas and played a high value position. He wasn’t regraded as a top-five prospect at the OT position, but he represented good value if he eventually develops up to his impressive ceiling. Based on the position he played, he represented good use of a first-round pick.
Tackle is one of the most important positions in the NFL. Often playing on an island and facing off against the best athletes on the planet, one botched play from an OT could decide a game or even end a season. From a purely positional basis, the selection was a wise one of the Cowboys.
Many in Cowboys Nation aggressively made the case for a center. A dominant player, in the vein of Travis Frederick, could be found late in the first round. Centers often fall on draft boards so an OC1 of the class can typically be found. But the position isn’t generally viewed as overly pivotal and great players can typically be found in later portions of the draft.
The Cowboys wisely chose tackle and a recent contract extension with OT Christian Darrisaw proved it. Darrisaw, the Vikings draft selection at Pick 23 in 2021, agreed to a new four-year, $113 million extension with Minnesota. His AAV of $28,250,000 makes him the highest paid tackle in the league. A fair price for a 25-year up-and-comer playing a high value position, but steep nonetheless considering he’s had neither an All-Pro nor Pro Bowl season yet.
The surplus value of an OT draft pick, which is the difference between a rookie contract value and a veteran contract value, is enormous compared to that of an OC. It’s good business to invest in high value positions because of the importance they play on the field and the money they can save a franchise by playing on a low-cost rookie deal.
None of this matters, of course, if Guyton doesn’t develop into a good starting left tackle at some point.
The Cowboys have him slotted behind Chuma Edoga on the depth chart and seem determined to make the rookie earn his spot, to the dismay of many. But at a time when the whole world is piling on the Cowboys’ top brass for their mesmerizingly poor offseason, let us give credit for a smart positional decision made in the draft.
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