If there was one concern heading into the 2023 season for the Cowboys, what would it have been? Their ability to stop the run? Possibly. Their depth at linebacker? That’s valid. How about the inexperience at running back? Maybe.
While all of those concerns are understandable in nature, one area of the team seemed to take center stage in the amygdala of the minds of most Cowboys fans: the offensive line.
With Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin and Terence Steele populating the top of the depth chart, the Dallas O-line looked great on paper. Two of those players are widely considered to be future Hall of Famers while two more are some of the game’s biggest rising stars.
But a quick look beneath the surface revealed there were durability issues and depth concerns that couldn’t be ignored.
Steele was coming off a significant knee injury suffered last December, Tyron Smith was averaging less than six regular season games per year since 2020 and Martin was turning 33-years-old and coming off a holdout.
The only proven depth piece, Chuma Edoga, was widely considered a disappointment as a pro. He struggled significantly through training camp but still entered the 2023 season as Dallas’ top reserve.
Beyond Edoga was a collection of Day 3 draft picks and undrafted free agents (UDFA). Even the most optimistic Cowboys fans admitted an injury on the line had the potential to derail the offense.