2. The Giants offensive line is trending upwards while Dallas’ is going backwards
For the majority of the last decade, if there was one thing to respect about the Dallas Cowboys, it was their star studded offensive line. The Cowboys offensive line of Doug Free at right tackle, Zack Martin at right guard, Travis Frederick at center, Ronald Leary at right guard, and Tyron Smith at left tackle was one of the most intimidating position groups in football. The Cowboys also added undrafted free agent guard La’El Collins to the group, further fortifying that dominant group.
About five years later, that offensive line is almost completely gone. Martin and Smith, who have battled injuries the last couple years, are the only remainders from that dominant line. This offseason, the Cowboys drafted left guard Tyler Smith in the first round, despite the fact that he was among the most penalized players in college football a season ago, something the Cowboys know a lot about. Tyler Biadasz, the Cowboys center, has been inconsistent over his first two NFL seasons, as has 2020 undrafted rookie Terrance Steele, who is the starter at right tackle.
This offseason, the Giants drafted college football’s most dominant lineman Evan Neal to play right tackle. Neal will pair with left tackle Andrew Thomas, a blossoming star, to give the Giants two young franchise tackles. The Giants added veterans Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano to anchor the interior of the line, and have other solid interior options in Shane Lemieux, Ben Bredeson, and rookie third-round pick Josh Ezeudu.
The Giants offensive line is seemingly making improvements while the Cowboys line seems to be regressing.