One area of rightful concern for the Dallas Cowboys’ 2021 roster is at center. Their depth was heavily tested last year and can’t be taken lightly going forward. Already under contract for next season, veteran Adam Redmond just might wind up making the team thanks to his versatility and experience.
The first domino in 2020 was the untimely retirement of Travis Frederick. This prompted Dallas to draft Tyler Biadasz and we saw him eventually earn the starting job over the course of the year. Joe Looney, who’d begun the year as the starter, came back from injury but didn’t return to the 1st Team once Dallas committed to Biadasz.
Also in the mix last year was Redmond, who’s lived on the border between the official roster and practice squad for three seasons now with the Cowboys. He’s never been entrusted with a primary backup role but Dallas has activated him for 14 games in recent years.
With Looney still floating on the free agent market right now, Redmond is a top contender for the backup center job among the Cowboys currently under contract. His biggest competition is third-year Guard Connor McGovern, who has always been touted as having position flex throughout the offensive line.
Even if Dallas chooses McGovern to be the primary backup at center, Redmond could still make the roster for additional interior line depth. He’s even listed as a guard/center on the team’s official website, speaking to that ever-valuable trait of versatility.
At this point, the two biggest threats to Redmond’s roster chances are Joe Looney’s lingering free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft.
The longer Joe stays unsigned increases the chances of him taking a minimal offer to return to Dallas. Last year Looney played on a $2.4 million deal but would probably have to take less based on the reduced salary cap and what we’ve seen throughout the first few weeks of free agency.
Adam Redmond is currently on the books for just $990k in 2021. The Cowboys may not be willing to pay much more than that for Looney or any other veteran backup, but Joe’s willingness to accept it will only increase if he remains unsigned.
The draft is Redmond’s other enemy. With 10 picks to use in 2021, Dallas could easily use one of them on an interior lineman. Whether to compete with Biadasz or at least develop behind him in a reserve role, anyone they spend a draft pick on would likely have an edge on Redmond for making the roster.
Then again, if their perceived appreciation for Redmond is real, the Cowboys may dedicate those resources elsewhere.
For three years Adam Redmond has snuck his way onto the Dallas Cowboys’ roster and even into occasional playing time. He keeps hanging around and now, with Joe Looney potentially not returning, could move into an even bigger role in 2021.
He’s not a player who gets much attention, but he could have a greater impact on the team’s offseason decision making than you might think.
