Wyatt Miller was only with the Dallas Cowboys for one week during 2019 but is set to return this year to compete on the offensive line. Can Miller find stable employment in 2020 after a tumultuous rookie season?
Coming out of UCF as an offensive tackle and going undrafted last year, Wyatt signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. He was released at final cuts and then signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad, where he stayed for Weeks 1-16.
Heading into their Week 17 finale, the Cowboys had to place Guard Xavier Su'a-Filo on injured reserve. They signed Miller away from the Bengals to fill out their 53-man roster.
While he manned the tackle spots during his college days with the Knights, Wyatt projects as a guard in the NFL. As one scouting report on Miller stated:
“Miller has very good short area quickness with some very good technical skill, but he lacks the height and length needed for edge protector in the NFL. He also is woefully lacking in both upper and lower body power.”
It is telling that Dallas signed Miller after placing one of their guards on IR. Perhaps that is where they see him as well, despite his still being officially listed as an OT on their roster.
The competition will be stiff for Wyatt anywhere on the Cowboys' offensive line. But the interior line does offer a little more opportunity than at tackle.
With three starting jobs and 2-3 backup slots behind them, the guard and center positions create a little more possibility. The only guarantee at this point is All-Pro Zack Martin returning to his spot at right guard.
Connor Williams should resume his job at starting left guard. And while Joe Looney is the current front-runner at center, Connor McGovern and Tyler Biadasz will be competitive.
Those five players will make up the nucleus of Dallas' interior line in 2020. You also have Adam Redmond and Cody Wichmann in the mix as depth options, but they're 27 and 28 years old respectively.
A younger prospect like Wyatt Miller, just 24, makes more sense for development on the practice squad. If moving inside will help mitigate his physical limitations then his technical skill could better shine and perhaps keep him around.
After being with three different teams as a rookie, Miller would love to find a lasting home in the NFL. There is an opportunity with the Cowboys, even if it's just on the practice squad, in 2020. We'll see how competitive Wyatt can be when training camp (hopefully) begins in a few weeks.
