2021 NFL Draft: Cowboys must target Alex Leatherwood to replace Tyron Smith
With Tyron Smith out for the year and aging, the Cowboys must find his eventual replacement.
Before and after the Dallas Cowboys won against the New York Giants, they suffered the loss of two of their best players to injuries. Offensive tackle Tyron Smith announced that he would undergo season-ending neck surgery prior to the Week 5 contest while Dak Prescott suffered a tragic ankle injury that ended his season during the Cowboys’ 37-34 win over New York.
While both players are hoping to make a comeback, the concern is higher for Smith who has had a fair share of injury issues over the past few years. Prescott, on the other hand, has started every game since his rookie season, a streak which will end as Dallas hosts Arizona on Monday Night Football.
Thus, the Cowboys have a decision to make. It’s highly likely that Prescott will return to full health. Same with Smith. However, Smith is aging and it’s best to find a potential replacement at the left tackle position.
As luck would have it, there is a prospect right in the Cowboys views that fits their scheme and plays with an edge that the members of the Great Wall of Dallas would be proud of: Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood.
Alex Leatherwood would be the best pick for the Cowboys’ future.
When it comes to drafting offensive linemen, the Cowboys have had great success throughout their history. Look no further than their championships from the 1990s. In addition, Leatherwood’s style of play reminiscent of Chris Samuels, a former six-time Pro-Bowler in Washington.
Standing at 6-6 and 312 pounds, Leatherwood is the ideal size and weight when it comes to finding a player to protect the blindside. He also has versatility, a trait that is valued in today’s game.
After spending his freshman year as a reserve player and winning the national title, Leatherwood moved from tackle to guard in his second year and saw increased playing time before shifting back to tackle in 2019.
Moreover, Leatherwood was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school and is very elusive in his style of play and fast off the ball, similar to Erik Williams. That comparison is good for Cowboys fans given how dominant Williams was and how he performed against the greats like Reggie White.
It’s never too late to build for the future and become dominant. If Leatherwood is drafted, he can be mentored by Smith and play guard before he takes over at tackle, which would then enable Brandon Knight to switch to guard to provide depth for the Cowboys and also bolster their front. That would, in turn, help the running game. Ezekiel Elliott would certainly be pleased.
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The Cowboys have been saying they need defense but, given the depth of the draft, it’s always good to draft the best player available, especially when an offensive tackle is needed. Plus, there are plenty of defensive players that will be available on Day 2 for Dallas, so it’s best to address a concern before it gets bigger.