Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys' biggest need is undoubtedly offensive line after losing Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith during free agency.
At this point, they need a center and a left guard/tackle depending on what they do with Tyler Smith, whose versatility could allow him to play any of the two roles.
The reality is there's not much they can do from here until the draft, as the top tackles who could be considered surefire bets are off the shelves and now every free agent available carries significant risk with him, including former Green Bay Packers OT David Bakhtiari.
Bakhtiari remains a free agent despite being one of the best in the business when healthy. The problem is that isn't very often. Cowboys fans know a thing or two about this issue as Tyron Smith also missed playing time on a yearly basis. But make no mistake about it, there's much more risk when it comes to the Packers legend: While Tyron played 14 games last year, Bakhtiari has played 13 in the last three years!
Even still, A to Z Sports' Wendell Ferreira, who covers the Packers, named the Cowboys as a top landing spot for Bakhtiari with the following breakdown:
The Cowboys lost Tyron Smith to the New York Jets in free agency. Right now, the idea is to move Tyler Smith from guard to tackle, but that creates a downgrade in two positions, since TJ Bass is projected to start at left guard.
With Bakhtiari, Tyler Smith could be kept inside. Moreover, the left tackle knows Mike McCarthy and his system really well, which would ease the transition.
Adding Bakhtiari could kill two birds with one stone
More than becoming Plan A for the Cowboys if signed, I believe Bakhtiari could be a solid insurance policy for Dallas in case they don't find an offensive lineman they like at 24th overall. He'd be a cheap addition at this point of his career, which truly fits what the Cowboys look for in free agency.
In the case the Cowboys draft a tackle like Amarius Mims or J.C. Latham, who would be undergoing the transition of playing on the right side to the left, having somebody like Bakhtiari on the roster would also help them buy some time if the development takes longer than expected.
Additionally, the Cowboys could fully decide to proceed with Tyler Smith at left guard, where he's played his best football, earning second-team All-Pro honors following the 2023 NFL season.
Smith was so special on the inside that that alone should be an incentive for the Cowboys to do all they can to make sure they're able to keep him at guard. Perhaps adding Bakhtiari is the way to go with hopes of still picking O-line in the first round.
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