Walter Jones just retired. Flozell Adams was cut. Kevin Mawae can’t seem to get a sniff from a single NFL team. Longtime NFL starters Jon Jansen and Barry Sims are now relegated to backup roles. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are all but done. Casey Wiegmann is likely to lose a training camp battle for a starting job. What’s going on here?!? A lot of people seem to think that running backs are done when they get into their early 30’s, and while that may be true, it pales in comparison to the recent trends with aging offensive linemen.
For this study, I asked the fans of all 32 teams who they thought their starting 5 would be along their respective O Lines entering the 2010 season. I then cross-compared that with the depth charts posted on various NFL websites, and listed in order every projected OL starter in the NFL from oldest to youngest. See the results after the jump.
By player (as of April 30, 2010)...
Age Rank | Player | Team | Position | Birthdate | Days on Earth | Age |
1 | Jeff Saturday | Colts | C | 18-Jun-75 | 12735 | 34 years, 10 months, 12 days |
2 | Chad Clifton | Packers | LT | 26-Jun-76 | 12361 | 33 years, 10 months, 4 days |
3 | Matt Birk | Ravens | C | 23-Jul-76 | 12334 | 33 years, 9 months, 7 days |
4 | Cornell Green | Bills | RT | 25-Aug-76 | 12301 | 33 years, 8 months, 5 days |
5 | Bobbie Williams | Bengals | RG | 25-Sep-76 | 12270 | 33 years, 7 months, 5 days |
6 | Stephen Neal | Patriots | RG | 9-Oct-76 | 12256 | 33 years, 6 months, 21 days |
7 | Alan Faneca | Cardinals | LG | 7-Dec-76 | 12197 | 33 years, 4 months, 23 days |
8 | Todd McClure | Falcons | C | 16-Feb-77 | 12126 | 33 years, 2 months, 14 days |
9 | Brian Waters | Chiefs | LG | 18-Feb-77 | 12138 | 33 years, 2 months, 26 days |
10 | Brad Meester | Jaguars | C | 23-Mar-77 | 12091 | 33 years, 1 month, 7 days |
11 | Olin Kreutz | Bears | C | 9-Jun-77 | 12013 | 32 years, 10 months, 21 days |
12 | Mark Tauscher | Packers | RT | 17-Jun-77 | 12005 | 32 years, 10 months, 13 days |
13 | Giants | C | 23-Jun-77 | 11999 | 32 years, 10 months, 7 days | |
14 | Cooper Carlisle | Raiders | RG | 11-Aug-77 | 11950 | 32 years, 8 months, 19 days |
15 | Ben Hamilton | Seahawks | LG | 18-Aug-77 | 11943 | 32 years, 8 months, 12 days |
16 | Jeff Backus | Lions | LT | 21-Sep-77 | 11909 | 32 years, 7 months, 9 days |
17 | Casey Rabach | Redskins | C | 24-Sep-77 | 11906 | 32 years, 7 months, 6 days |
18 | Steve Hutchinson | Vikings | LG | 1-Nov-77 | 11868 | 32 years, 5 months, 29 days |
19 | Damien Woody | Jets | RT | 3-Nov-77 | 11866 | 32 years, 5 months, 27 days |
20 | Andre Gurode | Cowboys | C | 6-Mar-78 | 11743 | 32 years, 1 month, 24 days |
21 | Matt Light | Patriots | LT | 23-Jun-78 | 11634 | 31 years, 10 months, 7 days |
22 | Leonard Davis | Cowboys | RG | 5-Sep-78 | 11560 | 31 years, 7 months, 25 days |
23 | Marc Colombo | Cowboys | RT | 8-Oct-78 | 11527 | 31 years, 6 months, 22 days |
24 | Floyd Womack | Browns | RG | 15-Nov-78 | 11489 | 31 years, 5 months, 15 days |
25 | Justin Hartwig | Steelers | C | 21-Nov-78 | 11483 | 31 years, 5 months, 9 days |
26 | Kyle Kosier | Cowboys | LG | 27-Nov-78 | 11477 | 31 years, 5 months, 3 days |
27 | Artis Hicks | Redskins | RG | 28-Nov-78 | 11476 | 31 years, 5 months, 2 days |
28 | Jonathan Goodwin | Saints | C | 2-Dec-78 | 11472 | 31 years, 4 months, 28 days |
29 | Dominic Raiola | Lions | C | 30-Dec-78 | 11444 | 31 years, 4 months |
30 | Roberto Garza | Bears | RG | 26-Mar-79 | 11358 | 31 years, 1 month, 4 days |
31 | Rich Seubert | Giants | LG | 30-Mar-79 | 11354 | 31 years, 1 month |
32 | Ryan Diem | Colts | RT | 1-Jul-79 | 11261 | 30 years, 9 months, 29 days |
33 | Jonathan Stinchcomb | Saints | RT | 27-Aug-79 | 11204 | 30 years, 8 months, 3 days |
34 | Dan Koppen | Patriots | C | 12-Sep-79 | 11188 | 30 years, 7 months, 18 days |
35 | Bryant McKinnie | Vikings | LT | 23-Sep-79 | 11239 | 30 years, 9 months, 7 days |
36 | Jake Grove | Dolphins | C | 22-Jan-80 | 11056 | 30 years, 3 months, 8 days |
37 | Eric Heitmann | 49ers | C | 24-Feb-80 | 11023 | 30 years, 2 months, 6 days |
38 | Eric Steinbach | Browns | LG | 4-Apr-80 | 10983 | 30 years, 26 days |
39 | Jamaal Jackson | Eagles | C | 8-May-80 | 10949 | 29 years, 11 months, 22 days |
40 | Brandon Moore | Jets | RG | 3-Jun-80 | 10923 | 29 years, 10 months, 27 days |
41 | Anthony Herrera | Vikings | RG | 14-Jun-80 | 10912 | 29 years, 10 months, 16 days |
42 | Vince Manuwai | Jaguars | LG | 12-Jul-80 | 10884 | 29 years, 9 months, 18 days |
43 | Jordan Gross | Panthers | LT | 20-Jul-80 | 10876 | 29 years, 9 months, 10 days |
44 | Robert Gallery | Raiders | LG | 26-Jul-80 | 10870 | 29 years, 9 months, 4 days |
45 | Tony Pashos | Browns | RT | 3-Aug-80 | 10862 | 29 years, 8 months, 27 days |
46 | Derrick Dockery | Redskins | LG | 7-Sep-80 | 10827 | 29 years, 7 months, 23 days |
47 | David Diehl | Giants | LT | 15-Sep-80 | 10819 | 29 years, 7 months, 15 days |
48 | Scott Wells | Packers | C | 7-Jan-81 | 10705 | 29 years, 3 months, 23 days |
49 | Kris Dielman | Chargers | LG | 3-Feb-81 | 10678 | 29 years, 2 months, 27 days |
50 | Jacob Bell | Rams | LG | 2-Mar-81 | 10651 | 29 years, 1 month, 28 days |
51 | Jammal Brown | Saints | LT | 30-Mar-81 | 10623 | 29 years, 1 month |
52 | Jeff Faine | Buccaneers | C | 6-Apr-81 | 10616 | 29 years, 24 days |
53 | Jake Scott | Titans | RG | 16-Apr-81 | 10606 | 29 years, 14 days |
54 | Wade Smith | Texans | LG | 26-Apr-81 | 10596 | 29 years, 4 days |
55 | Travelle Wharton | Panthers | LG | 19-May-81 | 10573 | 28 years, 11 months, 11 days |
56 | Sean Locklear | Seahawks | RT | 29-May-81 | 10563 | 28 years, 11 months, 1 day |
57 | Harvey Dahl | Falcons | RG | 24-Jun-81 | 10537 | 28 years, 10 months, 6 days |
58 | Vernon Carey | Dolphins | RT | 31-Jul-81 | 10500 | 28 years, 8 months, 30 days |
59 | Nick Hardwick | Chargers | C | 2-Sep-81 | 10467 | 28 years, 7 months, 28 days |
60 | Chris Myers | Texans | C | 15-Sep-81 | 10454 | 28 years, 7 months, 15 days |
61 | Ryan Lilja | Chiefs | RG | 15-Oct-81 | 10424 | 28 years, 6 months, 15 days |
62 | Tyson Clabo | Falcons | RT | 17-Oct-81 | 10422 | 28 years, 6 months, 13 days |
63 | Evan Mathis | Bengals | LG | 1-Nov-81 | 10407 | 28 years, 5 months, 29 days |
64 | Justin Smiley | Dolphins | LG | 11-Nov-81 | 10397 | 28 years, 5 months, 19 days |
65 | Andrew Whitworth | Bengals | LT | 12-Dec-81 | 10366 | 28 years, 4 months, 18 days |
66 | Max Starks | Steelers | LT | 10-Jan-82 | 10337 | 28 years, 3 months, 20 days |
67 | Stephen Peterman | Lions | RG | 11-Jan-82 | 10366 | 28 years, 3 months, 19 days |
68 | Chris Snee | Giants | RG | 18-Jan-82 | 10329 | 28 years, 3 months, 12 days |
69 | Jason Peters | Eagles | LT | 22-Jan-82 | 10325 | 28 years, 3 months, 8 days |
70 | Eugene Amano | Titans | C | 1-Mar-82 | 10287 | 28 years, 1 month, 29 days |
71 | Logan Mankins | Patriots | LG | 10-Mar-82 | 10278 | 28 years, 1 month, 20 days |
72 | Chris Spencer | Seahawks | C | 28-Mar-82 | 10260 | 28 years, 1 month, 2 days |
73 | Geoff Hangartner | Bills | C | 22-Apr-82 | 10235 | 28 years, 8 days |
74 | David Stewart | Titans | RT | 28-Aug-82 | 10107 | 27 years, 8 months, 2 days |
75 | Alex Barron | Rams | RT | 28-Sep-82 | 10076 | 27 years, 7 months, 2 days |
76 | Michael Roos | Titans | LT | 5-Oct-82 | 10069 | 27 years, 6 months, 25 days |
77 | Todd Herremans | Eagles | LG | 13-Oct-82 | 10061 | 27 years, 6 months, 17 days |
78 | Rudy Niswanger | Chiefs | C | 9-Nov-82 | 10034 | 27 years, 5 months, 21 days |
79 | Frank Omiyale | Bears | RT | 23-Nov-82 | 10020 | 27 years, 5 months, 7 days |
80 | Chris Kuper | Broncos | RG | 19-Dec-82 | 9994 | 27 years, 4 months, 11 days |
81 | Jason Spitz | Packers | LG | 19-Dec-82 | 9994 | 27 years, 4 months, 11 days |
82 | Chris Kemoeatu | Steelers | LG | 4-Jan-83 | 9978 | 27 years, 3 months, 26 days |
83 | Willie Colon | Steelers | RT | 9-Apr-83 | 9883 | 27 years, 21 days |
84 | Donald Penn | Buccaneers | LT | 27-Apr-83 | 9865 | 27 years, 3 days |
85 | Deuce Lutui | Cardinals | RG | 5-May-83 | 9857 | 26 years, 11 months, 25 days |
86 | Jason Brown | Rams | C | 5-May-83 | 9857 | 26 years, 11 months, 25 days |
87 | Jeremy Trueblood | Buccaneers | RT | 10-May-83 | 9852 | 26 years, 11 months, 20 days |
88 | Richie Incognito | Dolphins | RG | 5-Jul-83 | 9796 | 26 years, 9 months, 25 days |
89 | Chiefs | RT | 19-Jul-83 | 9782 | 26 years, 9 months, 11 days | |
90 | Kyle Cook | Bengals | C | 25-Jul-83 | 9776 | 26 years, 9 months, 5 days |
91 | Jahri Evans | Saints | RG | 22-Aug-83 | 9748 | 26 years, 8 months, 8 days |
92 | Jeromey Clary | Chargers | RT | 5-Nov-83 | 9673 | 26 years, 5 months, 25 days |
93 | Marcus McNeill | Chargers | LT | 16-Nov-83 | 9662 | 26 years, 5 months, 14 days |
94 | Eric Winston | Texans | RT | 17-Nov-83 | 9661 | 26 years, 5 months, 13 days |
95 | Davin Joseph | Buccaneers | RG | 22-Nov-83 | 9656 | 26 years, 5 months, 8 days |
96 | Rob Sims | Lions | LG | 6-Dec-83 | 9642 | 26 years, 4 months, 24 days |
97 | D'Brickashaw Ferguson | Jets | LT | 10-Dec-83 | 9683 | 26 years, 4 months, 20 days |
98 | Justin Blalock | Falcons | LG | 20-Dec-83 | 9628 | 26 years, 4 months, 10 days |
99 | Doug Free | Cowboys | LT | 6-Jan-84 | 9611 | 26 years, 3 months, 24 days |
100 | Nick Mangold | Jets | C | 13-Jan-84 | 9604 | 26 years, 3 months, 17 days |
101 | Stephon Heyer | Redskins | RT | 16-Jan-84 | 9601 | 26 years, 3 months, 14 days |
102 | Ben Grubbs | Ravens | LG | 10-Mar-84 | 9547 | 26 years, 1 month, 20 days |
103 | Levi Brown | Cardinals | LT | 16-Mar-84 | 9541 | 26 years, 1 month, 14 days |
104 | Lyle Sendlein | Cardinals | C | 16-Mar-84 | 9541 | 26 years, 1 month, 14 days |
105 | Uche Nwaneri | Jaguars | RG | 20-Mar-84 | 9537 | 26 years, 1 month, 10 days |
106 | Charlie Johnson | Colts | LT | 2-May-84 | 9494 | 25 years, 11 months, 28 days |
107 | Demetrius Bell | Bills | LT | 3-May-84 | 9493 | 25 years, 11 months, 27 days |
108 | Leroy Harris | Titans | LG | 6-Jun-84 | 9459 | 25 years, 10 months, 24 days |
109 | Gosder Cherilus | Lions | RT | 28-Jun-84 | 9437 | 25 years, 10 months, 2 days |
110 | Sebastian Vollmer | Patriots | RT | 10-Jul-84 | 9425 | 25 years, 9 months, 20 days |
111 | Nick Cole | Eagles | RG | 28-Jul-84 | 9407 | 25 years, 9 months, 2 days |
112 | Joe Staley | 49ers | LT | 30-Aug-84 | 9374 | 25 years, 8 months |
113 | Winston Justice | Eagles | RT | 14-Sep-84 | 9359 | 25 years, 7 months, 16 days |
114 | Marshal Yanda | Ravens | RG | 15-Sep-84 | 9358 | 25 years, 7 months, 15 days |
115 | Mario Henderson | Raiders | LT | 29-Oct-84 | 9314 | 25 years, 6 months, 1 day |
116 | Branden Albert | Chiefs | LT | 4-Nov-84 | 9308 | 25 years, 5 months, 26 days |
117 | Brandon Keith | Cardinals | RT | 21-Nov-84 | 9281 | 25 years, 5 months, 9 days |
118 | Samson Satele | Raiders | C | 29-Nov-84 | 9283 | 25 years, 5 months, 1 day |
119 | Joe Thomas | Browns | LT | 4-Dec-84 | 9278 | 25 years, 4 months, 26 days |
120 | Kyle DeVan | Colts | RG | 10-Feb-85 | 9210 | 25 years, 2 months, 20 days |
121 | William Beatty | Giants | RT | 2-Mar-85 | 9190 | 25 years, 1 month, 28 days |
122 | Ryan Harris | Broncos | RT | 11-Mar-85 | 9181 | 25 years, 1 month, 19 days |
123 | Ryan Kalil | Panthers | C | 29-Mar-85 | 9163 | 25 years, 1 month, 1 day |
124 | Lance Louis | Bears | LG | 24-Apr-85 | 9137 | 25 years, 6 days |
125 | Jake Long | Dolphins | LT | 9-May-85 | 9122 | 24 years, 11 months, 21 days |
126 | Carl Nicks | Saints | LG | 14-May-85 | 9117 | 24 years, 11 months, 16 days |
127 | Sam Baker | Falcons | LT | 30-May-85 | 9101 | 24 years, 11 months |
128 | John Sullivan | Vikings | C | 8-Aug-85 | 9031 | 24 years, 8 months, 22 days |
129 | Chris Williams | Bears | LT | 26-Aug-85 | 9013 | 24 years, 8 months, 4 days |
130 | Duane Brown | Texans | LT | 30-Aug-85 | 9009 | 24 years, 8 months |
131 | Alex Mack | Browns | C | 19-Nov-85 | 8928 | 24 years, 5 months, 11 days |
132 | Seth Olsen | Broncos | LG | 17-Dec-85 | 8900 | 24 years, 4 months, 13 days |
133 | Mackenzy Bernadeau | Panthers | RG | 3-Jan-86 | 8883 | 24 years, 3 months, 27 days |
134 | Phil Loadholt | Vikings | RT | 21-Jan-86 | 8865 | 24 years, 3 months, 9 days |
135 | Chilo Rachal | 49ers | RG | 15-Mar-86 | 8812 | 24 years, 1 month, 15 days |
136 | Eric Wood | Bills | RG | 18-Mar-86 | 8809 | 24 years, 1 month, 12 days |
137 | Jared Gaither | Ravens | LT | 18-Mar-86 | 8809 | 24 years, 1 month, 12 days |
138 | Max Unger | Seahawks | RG | 14-Apr-86 | 8782 | 24 years, 16 days |
139 | Antoine Caldwell | Texans | RG | 19-Apr-86 | 8777 | 24 years, 11 days |
140 | Jason Smith | Rams | LT | 30-Apr-86 | 8766 | 24 years |
141 | Andy Levitre | Bills | LG | 15-May-86 | 8751 | 23 years, 11 months, 15 days |
142 | Michael Oher | Ravens | RT | 28-May-86 | 8738 | 23 years, 11 months, 2 days |
143 | Jeremy Zuttah | Buccaneers | LG | 1-Jun-86 | 8734 | 23 years, 10 months, 29 days |
144 | Josh Sitton | Packers | RG | 6-Jun-86 | 8729 | 23 years, 10 months, 24 days |
145 | Jeff Otah | Panthers | RT | 17-Jun-86 | 8718 | 23 years, 10 months, 13 days |
146 | Ryan Clady | Broncos | LT | 6-Sep-86 | 8637 | 23 years, 7 months, 24 days |
147 | Andre Smith | Bengals | RT | 25-Jan-87 | 8496 | 23 years, 3 months, 5 days |
148 | J.D. Walton | Broncos | C | 24-Mar-87 | 8438 | 23 years, 1 month, 6 days |
149 | Louis Vasquez | Chargers | RG | 11-Apr-87 | 8420 | 23 years, 19 days |
150 | Eugene Monroe | Jaguars | LT | 18-Apr-87 | 8413 | 23 years, 12 days |
151 | Mike Iupati | 49ers | LG | 12-May-87 | 8389 | 22 years, 11 months, 18 days |
152 | Jared Veldheer | Raiders | RT | 14-Jun-87 | 8356 | 22 years, 10 months, 16 days |
153 | Russell Okung | Seahawks | LT | 7-Oct-87 | 8241 | 22 years, 6 months, 23 days |
154 | Eben Britton | Jaguars | RT | 14-Oct-87 | 8234 | 22 years, 6 months, 16 days |
155 | Vladimir Ducasse | Jets | LG | 15-Oct-87 | 8233 | 22 years, 6 months, 15 days |
156 | Jacques McClendon | Colts | LG | 10-Dec-87 | 8177 | 22 years, 4 months, 20 days |
157 | Rodger Saffold | Rams | RG | 6-Jun-88 | 7998 | 21 years, 10 months, 24 days |
158 | Trent Williams | Redskins | LT | 19-Jul-88 | 7955 | 21 years, 9 months, 11 days |
159 | Maurkice Pouncey | Steelers | RG | 24-Jul-89 | 7585 | 20 years, 9 months, 6 days |
160 | Anthony Davis | 49ers | RT | 11-Oct-89 | 7506 | 20 years, 6 months, 19 days |
By team (as of April 30, 2010)...
Age Rank | Team | Avg days on Earth | Avg Age |
1 | Cowboys | 11184 | 30 years, 7 months, 14 days |
2 | Patriots | 10956 | 29 years, 11 months, 29 days |
3 | Packers | 10759 | 29 years, 5 months, 16 days |
4 | Giants | 10738 | 29 years, 4 months, 25 days |
5 | Lions | 10559 | 28 years, 10 months, 28 days |
6 | Saints | 10432 | 28 years, 6 months, 23 days |
7 | Vikings | 10383 | 28 years, 5 months, 5 days |
8 | Falcons | 10362 | 28 years, 4 months, 14 days |
9 | Redskins | 10353 | 28 years, 4 months, 5 days |
10 | Chiefs | 10337 | 28 years, 3 months, 20 days |
11 | Browns | 10308 | 28 years, 2 months, 22 days |
12 | Bears | 10308 | 28 years, 2 months, 22 days |
13 | Bengals | 10263 | 28 years, 1 month, 5 days |
14 | Colts | 10175 | 27 years, 10 months, 9 days |
15 | Dolphins | 10172 | 27 years, 10 months, 6 days |
16 | Titans | 10106 | 27 years, 8 months, 1 day |
17 | Cardinals | 10083 | 27 years, 7 months, 9 days |
18 | Jets | 10061 | 27 years, 6 months, 17 days |
19 | Eagles | 10020 | 27 years, 5 months, 7 days |
20 | Seahawks | 9958 | 27 years, 3 months, 6 days |
21 | Raiders | 9954 | 27 years, 3 months, 2 days |
22 | Bills | 9918 | 27 years, 1 month, 25 days |
23 | Steelers | 9853 | 26 years, 11 months, 21 days |
24 | Jaguars | 9831 | 26 years, 10 months, 30 days |
25 | Chargers | 9780 | 26 years, 9 months, 9 days |
26 | Ravens | 9757 | 26 years, 8 months, 17 days |
27 | Buccaneers | 9744 | 26 years, 8 months, 4 days |
28 | Texans | 9699 | 26 years, 6 months, 20 days |
29 | Panthers | 9643 | 26 years, 4 months, 25 days |
30 | Rams | 9470 | 25 years, 11 months, 4 days |
31 | Broncos | 9030 | 24 years, 8 months, 21 days |
32 | 49ers | 9021 | 24 years, 8 months, 12 days |
The first thing that jumps off the page at you is that there are no offensive line starters in the entire NFL that are 35 years of age or older. None. And there is only one that’s 34 or older - The oldest, Jeff Saturday, turns 35 in June. That’s just incredible, and very indicative that if you’re in your early 30’s and you’re an offensive lineman in this league, your time is short.
Easy, fellas... Don't hurt yourselves.
Cowboys fans, be worried. Be very, very worried. Note the ages of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line starters. There are 160 OL starters in the NFL, and 4 of the 26 oldest are Dallas Cowboys. By the end of the season, those 4 players (Marc Colombo, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, and Kyle Kosier) will all be 32 years of age or older. Remarkably, the Cowboys actually got younger this season when they rightfully dumped Flozell Adams’ awful contract with no cap penalties during this uncapped season. If the Cowboys are of the belief that NFL players lose their ability with a sudden snap of the finger, and maybe they do... then they’re probably not worried. But if they’re of the belief that a gradual, steady decline begins a few years before they can no longer compete at a high level in the NFL, then the Cowboys are rolling the dice and will be sweating out the healthy/ability of their offensive line the entire season – bigtime.
Now, being old isn’t necessarily bad… as long as you can stay healthy, and as long as you don’t wear down toward the end of the season. Otherwise, you better have depth. Remarkably, this aging unit stayed healthy last year. Their only setback was losing Marc Colombo for a stretch of time at the end of the season. However, in their playoff game against Minnesota, they simply couldn’t keep Tony Romo off his back. I’m not sure if that was a result of the older guys wearing down in their 18th game, or if they were truly on their game, but simply overmatched physically by the Vikings – Neither scenario is good, obviously.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they don’t have any depth whatsoever. When they dumped Adams, Doug Free went from the primary backup to the immediate starter at LT, basically leaving the cupboard bare in case any one of the 5 OL starters goes down. Their depth – Pat McQuistan, Duke Preston, Cory Proctor, Montrae Holland, and Robert Brewster. We don’t know anything about Robert Brewster yet, but we know plenty about the others, and in a word… Ew.
So how did their roster form this way? Quite simply, they’ve either missed badly in prior drafts, or just completely ignored the OL. The last accomplished offensive lineman the Cowboys drafted was Gurode, with their 2nd round pick way back in 2002. After calling Gurode’s name, here’s a list of offensive linemen they’ve drafted since…
- 2002 – Tyson Walter, C, 6th round
- 2003 – Al Johnson, C, 2nd round
- 2003 – Justin Bates, G, 7th round
- 2004 – Jacob Rogers, OT, 2nd round
- 2004 – Stephen Peterman, G, 3rd round
- 2005 – Rob Petitti, OT, 6th round
- 2006 – Pat McQuistan, OT, 7th round
- 2006 – EJ Whitley, C, 7th round
- 2007 – James Marten, OT, 3rd round
- 2007 – Doug Free, OT, 4th round
- 2008 – No offensive linemen drafted
- 2009 – Robert Brewster, OT, 3rd round
- 2010 – Sam Young, OT 6th round
I can forgive some of the bad picks, but the stretch from 2008 to 2010 is totally unforgivable. In 2008 they had 6 picks, and did not address the OL. In 2009, they had a whopping 12 picks, and selected only one offensive lineman. In 2010, 6 picks… one OL. Totals over the past 3 years – 24 picks, 2 offensive linemen. In fairness, the 2008 class produced Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, the suddenly disappointing Martellus Bennett, Tashard Choice, and Orlando Scandrick. It’s tough to argue with those selections, I suppose. But when you have 18 picks combined the last 2 years and you have an entire lineup of aging OL starters… And you draft only 2 offensive linemen? It’s just flat out unacceptable.
The Cowboys have a very talented team. Good QB? Check. Diverse and talented backfield? Check. Premium weapons in the passing game? Check. Great pass rush? Check. But make no mistake… If you’re the Cowboys, that offensive line has to be a scary, ominous concern. In reality, if they suffer an injury or 2 along the OL or if their decline begins to accelerate, it’s a potential season killer in 2010.
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