Offensive Tackle
Tyron Smith – 7 years remaining on a 8-year deal, $97.6 million deal
Doug Free – 1 year remaining on a 3-year, $15 million deal
Chaz Green – 2 years remaining on a 4-year, $2.91 million deal
Emmett Cleary – 1 year remaining on a 2-year, $960,000 deal
Evaluation: Although Tyron Smith battled through numerous nagging injuries throughout the 2016 season, he is still one of the best, if not the best left tackles in the entire NFL. With a full off-season to heal, he should return to 100% by the time the 2017 season kicks off.
Unfortunately, Tyron Smith is probably the only player that should be counted on for next season.
Doug Free is noticeably becoming a declining player and I don’t think Chaz Green or Emmett Cleary can be counted on to be the starting right tackle either.
Green is probably the favorite to take over at right tackle, but his history of reoccurring injuries should be a major concern. You simply can’t count on him remaining healthy throughout the season.
Cleary isn’t someone you want starting either, although he did fill in nicely for Tyron Smith in the last game of the regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Depending on how comfortable the Cowboys feel with Doug Free and Chaz Green, this could be another position of need in the off-season.
