Even with the 2022 NFL Draft coming next week the Cowboys are still putting some energy to free agency. Yesterday Dallas had a visit with veteran Offensive Tackle Sam Tevi, who’s previously played for the Colts and Chargers.
Tevi, a 6th-round pick for Los Angeles in 2017, became a full-time starter for the Chargers during his second season. He got his first NFL start as a rookie, spelling Russell Okung for one game at left tackle, and returned to the first-team lineup again in Week 2 of 2018 when right tackle Joe Barksdale.
Sam started 15 games as a sophomore and even kept the job once Barksdale was healthy again. He would remain the Chargers’ starting RT from 2019-2020 as well.
As a free agent in 2021, Tevi signed a one-year deal with the Colts to compete for their swing tackle job. He suffered a torn ACL in the preseason finale and missed the entire season.
Despite his starting experience in Los Angeles, Tevi is generally seen as a swing tackle at best. He does have the versatility to play either side but, like most backup tackles, is better on the right side than left.
With La’el Collins gone and Terence Steele expected to start in 2022, Dallas is looking for some additional OT depth. Ty Nsekhe hasn’t be re-signed as a free agent and that leaves just Josh Ball, a 4th-round pick last year who missed the season injured.
Even if the Cowboys didn’t feel any sparks in their visit with Tevi, it at least indicates that the team may be looking to free agency over the draft to fill their offensive tackle depth chart. Having just invested a mid-round pick in Ball a year ago, Dallas likely wants to see how he develops this season before another pick gets used.
Sam Tevi is just one of several veteran offensive tackles still on the market. Dallas likely won’t sign any of them now, waiting to see what their 2022 draft yield actually turns out to be. Several of the OL prospects this year have position flex and could give the Cowboys new options.
As has been well-documented on this site and others, Tyron Smith’s ability to stay healthy keeps offensive tackle at the forefront of concern. The Cowboys can’t take it lightly for as long Smith remains in Dallas, and this move at least shows they’re exploring multiple options to secure the position for next year.
