Dallas Cowboys Sign Free Agent Tackle; 3 More Top Candidates Remaining

Despite many debating if Tyler Smith is ready for a position change, the Dallas Cowboys could look to free agency for a quick solve of their left tackle need.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Chuma Edoga (71) after the game / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The loss of Tyron Smith in free agency seems to be a necessary one that the Dallas Cowboys are willing to go through. The Cowboys have plenty of needs elsewhere and not a lot of cap space to spend big on top names in free agency.

As those top names go off the board, though, several starting caliber players still remain hopeful they can find a career with a new team. For Dallas, the current free agent tackle class is a group full of potentially cheap targets they can fit within their budget, while also giving their offense the best chance for success in 2024. ... with name not counting Chuma Edoga, who is reportedly likely to return to Dallas on a cheap one-year deal.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Chuma Edoga (71) after the game / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Edoga has position flex. He can help. But he's not really a starter ...

Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) drills with / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Let's go through some of the biggest names here.

Mekhi Becton

The Mekhi Becton situation is an interesting one. Originally a top-15 overall pick, Becton showed promise his rookie season, and in spurts last year. His issue is injuries, though. The former Louisville product suffered back-to-back knee injuries that cost him two consecutive years, and even suffered an ankle injury during the 2023 season.

At his peak, he can be a very good starting tackle for half the price of other players as he tries to prove he can be an NFL player. At his worst, he's a solid swing tackle that would still provide depth.

Of the names available to the Cowboys, Becton is probably the best fit in terms of cost, and overall role.

Andre Dillard

Dillard has had a tough career. As a first round pick, he was a serviceable tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles but was beat out by a seventh-round steal in Jordan Mailata. After signing a strong free agent deal in Tennessee, Dillard struggled and has since been released.

There's still a quality player in the Washington State product, and perhaps the Cowboys can get the most out of him. Either way, he'll be pretty cheap and allow some starter experience on the team.

David Bakhtiari

If the Cowboys were to truly go "All In" like their executive team has said before, taking the best available free agent tackle is so important.

David Bakhtiari may have health concerns like Smith used to, but he's finally healthy, and still an All-Pro caliber player when so. By bringing in Bakhtiari, the Cowboys would not be out at taking a tackle in the first round, but would give that rookie a strong leader to learn the game from and prepare for the future.

It's a win-win situation if Bakhtiari is the choice. Of course, frankly, if Dallas was truly interested in spending on a vet here ... maybe they just should've kept Tyron?