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NFL Network Predicts Cowboys' 'Hogs' Will End Championship Drought

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 10:44 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys' left guard Tyler Smith knows the buck starts and stops with the offensive line under Brian Schottenheimer, and now, a 10-year NFL veteran is following suit with his thoughts.

After an offseason that saw Tyler Booker be drafted in the first round to "replace" Zack Martin, coupled with the expected improvement of Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe and Terence Steele, Dallas has a solid starting five to protect Dak Prescott.

Plus, with Conor Riley as the offensive line coach, along with coordinator Klayton Adams, the Cowboys have two coaches who know how to get the most out of the group.

As such, NFL veteran Leger Douzable believes that, due to the Cowboys' makeup along the line, Schottenheimer's team will break its NFC Championship drought.

"This is the one reason this Cowboys team will make it back to the conference championship, I know it's been 30 years, it's going to be the hogs up front," Douzable said on NFL Network. "If they can develop and mesh, this team has a chance to go to the conference championship."

My word, that is a big if, Mr. Douzable.

First off, we can’t call Dallas linemen “Hogs.” That’s the classic Washington nickname and we’re a bit bothered that NFL Network would commit that gaffe.

But with three first round picks along the line, and a center in Beebe who per Schottenheimer, already has command regarding checks made at the line of scrimmage, and the solid play (we hope) of Steele, this offensive line might be able to hold up in both the run and pass game to give Dak time to dissect defenses.

Granted, we aren't anointing them as anything yet, so we will hold fire, but training camp will be the first "proper" look at what Schottenheimer is dealing with.

And once real NFL bullets start flying, we can properly assess this offensive line that Douzable thinks will be the reason Dallas' infamous championship drought will end.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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