Dallas Cowboys: Ty Nsekhe might be most important free agent addition

The Dallas Cowboys have been modestly quiet in free agency but adding Ty Nsekhe on a cheap contract could be hugely important for their success.

After locking up Dak Prescott to the long-awaited long-term contract, the Dallas Cowboys were never going to be able to go on a Patriots-like spending spree in NFL free agency. Thus far, they’ve shown tremendous patience with that, re-signing cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and C.J. Goodwin, and landing a new long snapper in Jake McQuaide.

However, the other outside addition the Cowboys made beyond McQuaide was signing veteran offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe to a one-year deal worth less than $2 million in base salary. Over the past few years, we’ve seen Dallas plug in swing tackles, signing guys like Cameron Fleming and Cam Erving most recently. Nsekhe undoubtedly fits into that mold.

This may look like a relatively mundane move but it’s actually one that Dallas needed to make and one that could be hugely important. After what happened on the offensive line last year, bringing in a player like Nsekhe could have a massive impact on the floor of the Cowboys offense.

Ty Nsekhe will be extremely valuable depth for the Dallas Cowboys offensive line.

Yes, Nsekhe is 36 years old and that is the biggest concern about the Cowboys adding him. But when we’ve seen the veteran as a backup in recent years, he’s not shown any signs of losing a step. He’s retained his athleticism to be a good pass-blocker and has remained a good-not-great run-blocker.

Last season when Tyron Smith and La’el Collins, both of whom Dallas has re-committed to long term, went down due to injuries, the Cowboys were forced to turn to young players Terrence Steele and Brandon Knight to play key roles. They struggled immensely and, though the organization likes their futures, both players have development ahead.

Nsekhe is a plug-and-play backup option that comes right in. Should injuries crop up once again, he could easily step up and allow the Dallas offense to not truly miss a beat. The importance of that can’t be overstated.

Being able to sign an experienced and quality veteran to such a modest contract and have him fill an immediate need is massively important. Adding Nsekhe opens up draft possibilities as tackle may not be as pressing of a need anymore and they can keep addressing the ailing defense. Though it may not be a splash signing, this is one that could be huge dividends on the field in 2021 and moving forward.