After Garrett was named HC of the Cowboys halfway through 2010, Dallas spent 1st rounds picks on the OL in 3 of four consecutive years:
2011: Tyron Smith
2013: Travis Frederick
2014: Zack Martin
Gettleman himself is known to love the Hog Mollies. He also said fixing the OL is priority 1. He also knows OL aside from the OGs underwhelmed. He also probably recognizes his 'fixes' at LT (Solder) and OC (Pio/Pulley) aren't working out.
NYG may as some here alluded under Garrett go to a more downfield attack which will require OL to hold their blocks longer. We sorely need a LT (and possibly RT unless it Gates) as Jones has shown some struggle with the peripheral pressure as he fixes his eyes downfield.
Do any make the top 10 grade? Wirfs, Becton?
The holes SFs line and Tennessee line were opening up were an eye opener. Add a mauler mammoth LT next to Hernendez and then maybe a stable OC that doesn't get constantly pushed back like Pio and the line takes a quantum leap next year with an upgraded OL coach over Hunter.
I think DG will also want a good balance of veteran leadership on the OL and I think he will try to get a vet OC. The signal caller of the line needs to hit the ground running.
Guess point of all this is many signs point to tremendous resources allocated to the OL this offseason via FA or Draft or both.
My guess is Zietler- Hernendez probably the only 2 that will be the same next year.
Thomas, Wills, Becton, and Wirfs are the four OTs who would be under consideration, imo.
Didn't include the Guards and no Centers listed.
13. T JACK CONKLIN
Conklin is the best right tackle on the market, and he’s coming off a regular season which he finished 12th overall among tackles in PFF grade (78.3) and fifth in run-blocking grade (81.0). Conklin has some issues in pass protection, as his pass-blocking grade ranks just 49th on true pass sets over the last two seasons, and he’s on the higher end among offensive tackles receiving help (double teams, chip blocks, etc). Still, Conklin is a versatile run blocker who finished with the No. 6 grade on zone runs and the No. 14 mark on gap runs. He’s been one of the better right tackles in the league since being drafted in the first round in 2016.
45. T D.J. HUMPHRIES
Humphries battled injuries early in his career, only flashing the ability that made him a 2015 first-rounder, but he is coming off his best effort as a pass blocker. He gave up only 30 pressures on 677 attempts in 2019, just two more pressures than he allowed in 2018 on 335 fewer opportunities. It was Humphries' first season grading below 72.0 in the run game, but he could be the classic “late bloomer” along the offensive line as he heads into his age-26 season.
39. T ANDREW WHITWORTH
With a position rank almost the same as his age, there’s no doubt Andrew Whitworth has finally started to decline. But given that he was arguably the best left tackle in the game when he was at his best, he still has a lot to offer a team willing to take a short-term rental while they figure out their long-term future on the offensive line. Whitworth just posted his lowest overall PFF grade since the 2008 season (72.8) but still had a pass-blocking grade of 84.7 that was still good enough to rank seventh among tackles. He also was beaten for just one sack all season. Whitworth’s All-Pro days may be long behind him, but there are many teams that could use him as a significant upgrade while they wait for a young player to develop.
PFF - ( New Window )
He is intriguing and may not break the bank.
Dominating may be a stretch but a stable vet presence would be about 3 levels better than last year.
2. Draft ready OL early
3. Fix the players already here
Not enough emphasis on the latter. One of the reasons for replacing Hunter/Shula/Shurmur is that we weren't seeing improvements over time, but regressions.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism (IMO) in hiring Garrett was that his teams seemed to be a lot more prepared than ours early in the season. I'm hoping that this switch will pay dividends.
Of course I'll be happy with more talent on the OL, but simply signing & drafting talent won't matter without better coaching. We absolutely need several playmakers on defense, at least one at each level, and that should be the bigger priority.
2. Draft ready OL early
3. Fix the players already here
Not enough emphasis on the latter. One of the reasons for replacing Hunter/Shula/Shurmur is that we weren't seeing improvements over time, but regressions.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism (IMO) in hiring Garrett was that his teams seemed to be a lot more prepared than ours early in the season. I'm hoping that this switch will pay dividends.
Of course I'll be happy with more talent on the OL, but simply signing & drafting talent won't matter without better coaching. We absolutely need several playmakers on defense, at least one at each level, and that should be the bigger priority.
Yes. The hiring of a better OL coach looms very large . Zietler and Hernendez the only 2 worth moving forward with at this point . Need at least one vet FA and then a year 1 starter from the draft .Nick Gates may be in play for RT too.
Didn't include the Guards and no Centers listed.
13. T JACK CONKLIN
Conklin is the best right tackle on the market, and he’s coming off a regular season which he finished 12th overall among tackles in PFF grade (78.3) and fifth in run-blocking grade (81.0). Conklin has some issues in pass protection, as his pass-blocking grade ranks just 49th on true pass sets over the last two seasons, and he’s on the higher end among offensive tackles receiving help (double teams, chip blocks, etc). Still, Conklin is a versatile run blocker who finished with the No. 6 grade on zone runs and the No. 14 mark on gap runs. He’s been one of the better right tackles in the league since being drafted in the first round in 2016.
45. T D.J. HUMPHRIES
Humphries battled injuries early in his career, only flashing the ability that made him a 2015 first-rounder, but he is coming off his best effort as a pass blocker. He gave up only 30 pressures on 677 attempts in 2019, just two more pressures than he allowed in 2018 on 335 fewer opportunities. It was Humphries' first season grading below 72.0 in the run game, but he could be the classic “late bloomer” along the offensive line as he heads into his age-26 season.
39. T ANDREW WHITWORTH
With a position rank almost the same as his age, there’s no doubt Andrew Whitworth has finally started to decline. But given that he was arguably the best left tackle in the game when he was at his best, he still has a lot to offer a team willing to take a short-term rental while they figure out their long-term future on the offensive line. Whitworth just posted his lowest overall PFF grade since the 2008 season (72.8) but still had a pass-blocking grade of 84.7 that was still good enough to rank seventh among tackles. He also was beaten for just one sack all season. Whitworth’s All-Pro days may be long behind him, but there are many teams that could use him as a significant upgrade while they wait for a young player to develop. PFF - ( New Window )
Based on this alone (and nobody does base on PFF alone), none of the UFA OL sound worthy of the big contracts they will no doubt command. Yannick doesn't sound worth it either (can't play the run per PFF.) From those write-ups, I would focus on Byron Jones or CB Harris and FS Harris or Justin Simmons. And LB Corey Littleton to finally cover TEs.
Oh, and that's a top 99 list at PPF, Jarran Reed is listed twice (nice editing.)