Even before free agency begins, the interior offensive line is a position of need for the 2022 Dallas Cowboys draft. The play of Connor Williams and Connor McGovern at left tackle was inconsistent at times and second year Center Tyler Biadasz was considered by many the weakest link on a Cowboys offensive line that struggled down the stretch. The biggest reason for those struggles may have been coaching and continuity but upgrading any position is never a bad idea. At left tackle, starter Connor Williams is expected to depart in free agency which means Dallas will have to address depth on the interior even if they decide to move La’el Collins inside as some have suggested. The very first round of the NFL draft may present the Dallas Cowboys with a golden opportunity to address this need with the 24th overall pick. Here are some potential names that could make it to the bottom of the first round.
TYLER LINDERBAUM, C, IOWA
Linderbaum is probably the most popular name for Cowboys fans as a potential first round interior offensive linemen. As was previously mentioned, Center is a position that the Cowboys could use an upgrade and Linderbaum promises to be an elite level player in the NFL. Cowboys fans may be concerned about his lack of size and power after witnessing their interior offensive line get bullied at times last season. Though Linderbaum is undersized, he is a gifted athlete with technical wrestling skills and he is a highly intelligent football player. If he is available at pick #24, the Cowboys should certainly consider drafting him to be the center piece of the offensive line of the future for Dak Prescott and co.
KEYNON GREEN, OG, TEXAS A&M
Quite the opposite of Tyler Linderbaum is Kenyon Green out of Texas A&M. Green is big and powerful but can’t move nearly as well as Linderbaum can. Unlike Linderbaum, there are no concerns with Green being bullied but he has struggled with discipline which was a huge issue for the Cowboys last season. Another key difference between Linderbaum and Green is position versatility. Linderbaum is a pure center and can’t play anywhere else while Green has experience at both guard positions and has even played some right tackle. The Dallas Cowboys front office has a long tradition of valuing that type of flexibility in draft prospects.
ZION JOHNSON, OG, BOSTON COLLEGE
Zion Johnson is a strong, intelligent player who was a team captain at Boston College. Like Keynon Green, he has position versatility with experience at both tackle and guard He is mostly projected as an interior offensive lineman in the NFL and should immediately compete for a starting job at left guard if he is drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
DARIAN KINNARD, OG, KENTUCKY
Yet another player with tackle and guard experience who projects to be a guard at the next level is Darian Kinnard. Kinnard is not considered to be on the same level as the previous three players mentioned. Nor is he considered to be as refined of a technical prospect. He could be available in the second round of the draft for the Cowboys but it is not out of the question to think that he could end up being a first round pick. Where any of these players end up being drafted is going to be impacted by a variety of other variables such as health, scheme fit, athletic testing, interviews with teams, and countless other factors. Kinnard could be a day one starter for the Cowboys but would more likely need some time to develop into a full time starter.
*Photo by Zoey Holmstrom https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode