Cowboys Linked to Broncos' Dalton Risner As Dallas Weighs Starting Guard Options

After losing former offensive guard Connor McGovern to free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have a void to fill on the offensive line.

Following an aggressive and cost-effective start to NFL free agency, the Dallas Cowboys don't have many remaining holes to fill across their roster. 

And that's a great thing for a team that won 12 games and was one game away from an NFC Championship appearance a season ago. 

By re-signing running back Tony Pollard and trading for playmaking wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys have added new weapons to an already electric roster.

So where can this team improve further? CowboysSI.com conversations with team officials suggest they are experimenting their way to potential help at left guard, with Connor McGovern gone via free agency to Buffalo, so ...

*Chuma Edoga has signed as a free agent; he could start.

*Elijah Wilkinson is visiting as a free agent; he could start.

*Terence Steele is being discussed as a kick inside guy; he could start.

*And now this: People outside The Star are linking Dallas with Denver Broncos starting guard Dalton Risner.

Dallas has a "best five'' with Tyron Smith, Taylor Smith, Terence Steele, Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz. But as it regards incumbents, one of those first three will have to play left guard.

The Cowboys knew there would be a hole from the departure of McGovern, who played his first three seasons in Dallas and started 29 games over 45 appearances. And they are looking at options.

The problem with the Risner option? Spotrac projects his value at meaning he gets a contract of four years and $38 million - $9.5 million per year.

That's not happening in Dallas for the 6-5, 312-pound Risner, a second-round pick in 2019 who has established himself as a full-time starter in the league. Indeed, we have one team that ranked him entering the spring as the No. 4 guard in free agency. On top of blocking ability, Risner's ability to stay healthy might be his greatest gift to Dallas - missing just two games over his first four seasons in Denver. 

All of that adds up to a perfectly fine idea in Dallas ... except the Cowboys front office has assembled its "salary pie'' and there is surely not room for another expensive offensive lineman.

The longer Risner sits on the shelf, though - while that might not be long - the more attractive this option becomes.

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You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

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