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The Dallas Cowboys need to reconfigure their offensive line in 2024 and urgently so following recent reports on them being unlikely to bring back Tyron Smith at left tackle for next season.
Such a decision, which is highly questionable for many reasons, sets up the question of who will start at left tackle? Since the answer might already be on the roster in the shape of Tyler Smith, who played left guard in 2023, that answer could automatically become who starts at guard if the young Smith is indeed kicked out to tackle?
There's as strong sentiment indicating it'll be whoever the Cowboys find at 24th overall in the upcoming NFL Draft but to avoid reaching for a prospect whose value doesn't match the pick, the front office better be ready to bring somebody in. It would be a massive mistake to enter April without a Plan B in case you don't find your guy available late in the first.
It's a poor offensive tackle free agency class, which is a big reason why Tyron Smith had leverage when his agent sat down to talk to the Cowboys at Indianapolis. However, it's not necessarily a bad guard free agency class, even if a downgrade at guard is imminent if they do move Tyler.
With all that being said, let's dive into the guards that made our Top 105 contract projections ahead of the 2024 NFL free agency period that the Cowboys could look at. Kevin Dotson is not included on the list as the front office is extremely unlikely to pay his projected deal approaching $20M per year in free agency.
Seahawks G Damien Lewis Contract Projection
2023: 926 snaps at LG
Lewis is a big-bodied mauler that won All-Rookie Team honors from the Pro Football Writers Association, and despite a slightly down 2023 season, showcased flashes of significant upside throughout the course of his rookie contract.
Damien would be wise to keep the contract length at three years since he won’t be pushing pricing boundaries, and get back to the free agent well while he’s young enough to sign another significant multi-year deal.Projected Contract: 3 Year, $25.5M, $8.5 APY, $16.5M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $3.5M
Ravens G Kevin Zeitler Contract Projection
2023: 1,101 snaps at RG
Zeitler finishes a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens as one of the best pass-blocking guards in the league. He hasn’t allowed more than three sacks in a season since 2019, and consistently puts up pass-blocking efficiency ratings above 98%, never finishing lower than sixth amongst guards in the PBE metric in his time with the Ravens.
He’ll start the 2024 season 34-years-young. While his pass blocking is elite, his run blocking has been on a downward trend with age, evidenced by his declining PFF run block grades over the past two years. It’s not enough of a liability to keep a pass-first team from improving most offensive lines, especially on pass-heavy teams. He’s not going to find many multi-year suitors, and teams haven’t opened their coffers for interior lineman in their mid-30s (unless you’re Jason Kelce and helped reinvent the quarterback sneak), but Zeitler should command a respectable one-year deal as he transitions to mercenary work to finish his career.
Projected Contract: 1 Year, $6M, $6.0M APY, $6M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $3M
Lions G Jonah Jackson Contract Projection
2023: 881 snaps at LG
Jackson’s inability to shine as a pass blocker in a contract year is likely going to affect his market. As of this writing, there are only nine left guards averaging over $5 million a year. To break above this mark, Jackson would have to show he could either truly dominate as a run blocker, or inspire some potential he could cut back his pressures allowed. Jackson will likely need to price himself at a replacement level to encourage teams with starting opportunities to give him a shot, and continue honing his pass blocking skills for a later payday.
Projected Contract: 1 year, $3.5M, $3.5M APY, 2M GTD
Year One Cap Hit $1.9 million
Raiders G Greg Van Roten Contract Projection
2023: 1,024 snaps at RG
The stars aligned for Greg despite the chaotic year for the Raiders; they rolled the dice on starting a 33 year-old guard making a smidge over the veteran minimum, and he managed to stay healthy while posting a respectable 97.8% pass efficiency rating.
Greg won’t get the same bump Andre James will get for being a member of the Raiders’ 2022 rushing attack, but he should still get a respectable bump from his 2023 pay, as he showed he can play at an above-average level when healthy, and limit interior pressure.
Projected Contract: 1 Year, $3M, $3M APY, $1M GTD
Year One Cap Hit $2.2M
Vikings G Dalton Risner Contract Projection
2023: 745 snaps at LG
Dalton Risner was assumed to be one of the more coveted guards last season, but the market spoke and Risner didn’t receive his desired payday. He ventured to Minnesota on a one-year prove-it deal for $3 million. While in Minnesota, his pass blocking efficiency rating dropped to 96.7%, his career low, and PFF’s run blocking grade of 50.0 was also a career-low.
Although Risner ended his 2022 campaign on the IR, it’s hard to imagine Risner getting a raise when coming off the arguably worst professional season of his career.
Projected Contract: 1 year, $2.5M, $2.5M APY, $1M GTD
Year One Cap Hit $1.7M
What about cheaper guards?
Beyond the players on the above list, the Cowboys might find other guys in the post-Tier 1 free agency waves.
Per ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, "guard-needy teams that don't want to spend top dollar will still allot quality money to the next tier. (Lions' Graham) Glasgow started 15 games for Detroit and held his own, and he can play all three OL spots. (The Chiefs' Nick Allegretti and the Seahawks' Damien Lewis are two more guards to watch.)"
More must-reads:
- Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
- The potential breakout player from all 32 NFL teams
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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