In one of the more head-scratching moves of the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys decided to roll the whole thing back at the offensive tackle position in 2025. Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele are once again expected to be the starting tackles and little to no contingency plans exist if that doesn’t work out.
Steele and Guyton were problematic in pass protection and based on Pro Football Focus grades, they easily formed the poorest pass protection unit in the NFL. One can say what they want about PFF but that’s one bold decree very few sane people will argue against.
Yet, just because the two starting OTs were poor pass protectors in 2024 doesn’t mean it’s a roster full of weaknesses and all hope is lost. There are reasons to be optimistic, and intrigued as well.
Cowboys’ strengths at OT: Coaching
The Cowboys invested heavily in their offensive line over the offseason, not with veteran upgrades but rather with coaches. In addition to adding Conor Riley, a standout offensive line mind from Kansas State, the Cowboys brought in Klayton Adams to run the offense. Adams is regarded as one of the best O-line coaches in the NFL and will surely take an active approach to coaching up Dallas’ suspect OTs in 2025.
It’s also worth noting both coaches had some degree of input regarding the current stable of OTs on the roster and if they didn’t think they could turn Steele and Guyton into solid pass protecters, the team probably would have addressed the position better over the offseason.
Cowboys’ weaknesses at OT: Pass protection
Dallas had to replace Guyton at one point last offseason; that’s how bad the pass protection issue was. He has potential to be great but that’s a big question heading into Year 2 since it’s more heart and mind dependent than it is physical ability.
Based on all previous performances, Steele, the starting right tackle, is never going to be a very good pass protector. Even before his nasty knee injury he struggled, so at this point, below average might be his ceiling. But for much as he struggles in pass pro, he thrives in run blocking which is why Steele is still a valuable resource.
Cowboys’ biggest wildcard at OT: Asim Richards
Guyton could be seen as a wild card of sorts given his terrible rookie season and massive sophomore expectations but the coaching staff clearly believes in him, so the expectations are set. Richards, the LT working behind Guyton, looks like the real wild card since no one is quite sure what the expectations should be for him.
Richards has been improving in the background for quite a while and basically made it possible for the Cowboys to part ways with Chuma Edoga. Richards looks like the first alternate should Guyton falter and it’s unclear whether he’s capable of being a starter or if he’s just another name in the long list of midround tackles the Cowboys have drafted.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Strengths, weaknesses and wildcards at Cowboys OT position in 2025
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
