Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: 5 NFL Draft Prospects to Replace Doug Free

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:23 p.m. ET

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With news breaking that starting right tackle Doug Free is retiring, the Dallas Cowboys could look to one of these five players in the draft as a replacement

It was talked about earlier in the offseason, but then the team kind of shrugged it off. Starting right tackle Doug Free was considering retirement at 33 years of age and after that talk surfaced, sources inside the organization said they expected him to return. Then Free suddenly announced his retirement from the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday.

Free was a starter since 2010 after being selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Northern Illinois. He spent time at left tackle early on as starter before giving way to 2011 first-round pick Tyron Smith in 2012. Since that season Free has been a reliable starter and has been a strong veteran presence for the young, talented line.

Now that offensive line—which is arguably the best in the NFL—needs to replace one of their bookends. The preferred option is to slide 2015 third-round pick Chaz Green into the starting spot. Green started two games for the Cowboys this past season and was impressive. The problem is, he has been plagued by the injury bug. He was rated much higher than his final draft selection, but struggles to fend off injuries hurt his stock. He then suffered a hip injury as a rookie which kept him on the PUP for most of the season. His second season ended thanks to a herniated disk and he also had a foot injury early on.

With so much time missed by Green, the Cowboys may very well need to draft as if he isn't there and, should he stay healthy, it would just be a bonus. Here are five options they can choose from in the 2017 NFL Draft to help offset the loss of the recently retired Free.

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Adam Bisnowaty, OT — Pittsburgh

One option to help the Dallas Cowboys cope with the loss of Free would be drafting a player like Pittsburgh's Adam Bisnowaty. The left tackle for the Panthers considered leaving after his junior season, but rumors were that he wasn't happy with where he was considered to be drafted by the NFL advisory committee. While he started a fourth season for Pitt, there's no guarantee that he raised his stock much—if at all

Vitals

Height: 6-6
Weight: 304 Pounds
Bench Reps: 23 Reps

What the Scouts Say:

He is called tough and scrappy by Bryan Perz of Draft Breakdown who says that the 304-pounder is a very well-rounded player:

Is He a Fit in Dallas?

The problem with Bisnowaty is his potential durability concerns. A back injury cost him four games as a redshirt freshman, and ankle injuries made him miss one game in each season that followed. With Green already on hand struggling with injuries, the team may look elsewhere. However, his problems have been fairly minimal and he could be had with a Day 2 pick so they can still focus on an edge rusher in the opening round. Bisnowaty was also a left tackle for his whole career, but that athleticism could serve Dallas well. Free himself was more of an athletic right tackle early in his career and they could have similar success here.

Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

4. Antonio Garcia, OT — Troy

It's hard for any Dallas Cowboys fan to see a prospect from Troy and not think of DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys franchise-leading sack artist harassed quarterbacks for years was a former Trojan. Could they return to the small Alabama school to find a guy to now protect their own signal callers?

Vitals

Height: 6-6
Weight: 302 Pounds
Bench Reps: 24

What the Scouts Say:

The biggest concern seemed to be his size. Garcia often played under 300 pounds and that could hurt him. He still has incredible smarts and all the traits of a starting tackle in the NFL as mentioned by Lance Zierlein, the draft guru for the NFL.com.

Garcia had a stellar 2016 and did a lot to raise his stock at the Senior Bowl. Moreover, he's has always done his best work against the toughest competition, according to  Adam Prendergast of the Official Team Website:

Is He a Fit in Dallas?

The issue is that he may not be ready to start in Year 1, but those concerns were mostly due to his size. Garcia showing up at slightly over 300 pounds was a huge win for him. He probably isn't worth a first-round pick, and his rising stock might make it hard for Dallas to get him in Round 2. If he is there in the second, it's worth some strong consideration.

Oct 3, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) lines up during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Roderick Johnson, OT — Florida State University

One of the bigger name prospects that Dallas can look at is Florida State tackle Roderick Johnson. A junior who could have done himself some good by returning to school, Johnson is an intriguing prospect that comes from a school that has returned to churning out some great pros in recent years.

Vitals

Height: 6-7
Weight: 298 Pounds
Bench Reps: N/A

What the Scouts Say:

Johnson is considered raw, especially in pass protection. According to John Breitenbach of Pro Football Focus he is already dominate when it comes to run blocking:

Is He a Fit in Dallas?

Johnson would be a great fit for Dallas because of his ability to run block. They are a run-first team, which means he would fit right in. While he does struggle in pass protection, he has the traits to develop into something great there especially when surrounded by the talent they have. Like Garcia, he isn't worthy of a first-round pick, but should he be there when the Boys pick in Round 2, it would be tempting.

Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Moton stretches before running the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. Taylor Moton, OG — Western Michigan

A guard? But Doug Free is a tackle. Right, but the Cowboys do have the luxury of having a player like La'El Collins who is currently at left guard. Collins was a top rated tackle prospect in 2015 out of LSU before being questioned in a double homicide. After his name was cleared he went to Dallas as an undrafted free agent. He has been a guard since arriving in Dallas, but could kick out to tackle —something the team has considered.

Vitals

Height: 6-5
Weight: 319 Pounds
Bench Reps: 23

What the Scouts Say:

Moton played tackle in 2016, which wasn't his normal spot. He is incredibly strong and can hold his own against anyone. Per Lance Zierlein's NFL.com Draft Profile, here's what one NFC scout had to say:

Is He a Fit in Dallas?

Moton would be a solid starter, and could fill in at left guard from Day 1. There could be a little bit of a learning curve as Collins would need to adjust to playing right tackle, but he may be even better in that spot than where he currently plays. Another potential Day 2 pick, Moton has all the tools Dallas would look for in an offensive lineman.

Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Bucknell offensive lineman Julie'n Davenport squares off in the mirror drill against San Diego State offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1. Julie'n Davenport, OT — Bucknell

Our list ends with a small-school kid in Julie'n Davenport. A rising star who jumps out at you with his measurables, Davenport may have seen his stock drop some with a less than inspiring showing in the bench press at the scouting combine.

Vitals

Height: 6-7
Weight: 318 Pounds
Bench Reps: 18

What the Scouts Say:

Scouts traveled to the small Pennsylvania school known as Bucknell for one reason, to get a glimpse of their huge offensive lineman, Julie'n Davenport. He has amazing size and athletic traits, which runs in his bloodlines. Davenport is the cousin of NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrest. His strengths are highlighted by NFL. Com's Lance Zierlein;

Must Read: 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Three-Round Projections Pre-Free Agency

Is He a Fit in Dallas?

Dallas hasn't really gone for small school kids in the draft in recent years, which makes them grabbing Davenport seem less than likely. What could change their minds is him being around much later in the draft than most of the other prospects they could consider. That also could mean he won't see the field much as a rookie and the Boys may have to find a stop-gap veteran.

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