After a season in which the Dallas Cowboys saw their offensive line decimated by injuries and the depth behind them tested it wouldn’t be out of the question to see them try to improve the unit at some point in the 2021 NFL Draft. When and where they may choose to do so is anyone’s guess, but there’s little doubt it will be under consideration early and often.
Today I thought I’d share with you a player who I not only believe would be a perfect fit, but exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need. Let me introduce to you Robert Hainsey, a two-time captain and three-year starter at right tackle for the Fighting Irish. He’s not receiving a lot of draft love right now, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not on several teams wish list.
Robert Hainsey is the type of player who’s going to be a solid starter for 10+ years in the NFL, but one who is not likely going to receive a lot of accolades in his career. He may never get voted into the Pro Bowl or get named to the All-Pro Team, however, he is someone who will bring consistency and versatility to a team’s offensive line.
While many viewed Hainsey as a “right tackle only” prospect early on in the draft processes he’s since proved otherwise. At the Senior Bowl he kicked inside and proved he’s more than capable of playing at either guard or center as well. This newfound versatility created quite a bit of buzz around the scouting community and changed the way he was viewed as an OL prospect.
https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1368554854512214021
A two-time captain with three years of starting experience and has four position flex!? He sounds exactly like the type of player the Dallas Cowboys like along their offensive line. That’s especially true after witnessing what happened last season. They can definitely use a player like Robert Hainsey who I believe can start right away at either right tackle, guard, or center.
Love the idea of Robert Hainsey in a #Cowboys uniform. I think he's a starting caliber RT, OG, or C. https://t.co/hJEZFrn8mf
— ✭Brian Martin✭ (@BrianMartinNFL) March 31, 2021
The good news is the Dallas Cowboys were in attendance at Notre Dame’s Pro-Day to see what Robert Hainsey and the other Fighting Irish OL can do in person. So, at the very least he’s a tiny blip on their radar right now with a chance of being much more. For someone like me who would love to see him in a Cowboys uniform the dream is at least alive at the moment.
As things stand right now I don’t think he’s a Top 100 prospect in this year’s draft class, however, he could be on the cusp. That would put him in play in the latter part of the third or in the fourth-round for the Dallas Cowboys. Believe it or not, but I think that’s exactly when they might start targeting offensive lineman.
I don’t know how you feel about Robert Hainsey and I’m not going to try to convince you any further, but I believe he would be a great fit with the Dallas Cowboys. They could use more depth at RT, OG, and C and I believe Hainsey could not only provide that but also challenge for the starting job at any of the three positions. Sounds like a win-win to me.
We need to invest in this Oline bc Smith is getting old and I dnt think there going to keep Williams around after this season. We hv to get quality depth for this upcoming season and seasons to come!
Tyron Smith isn’t necessarily getting old he’s just unreliable to start a full season. But you’re right, the Cowboys need to start planning for the future in regards to the entire o-line.
which round?
I think he could go anywhere from the latter part of the 3rd to anywhere on Day 3.
I like position flex in a backup but for my starter I would rather have a great player at one position not caring about flex. unless you get in a break glass situation like last year on the OL you don’t want players switching positions you would like to keep continuity
I think with Robert Hainsey you can plug him in at RT, OG, or C and he’ll start there for the next 10+ years. But, if he needs to switch positions for whatever reason he has the ability to do so.
I am not so sure Hainsey is the answer. 20% of the top-100 draft prospects are offensive linemen. Hainsey isn’t top-100. There are too many other good players ahead of him that could help the Dallas Offensive line. Alijah Vera-Tucker, Alex Leatherwood, Trey Smith, Dillon Radunz, Josh Myers, or Jackson Carman could be available at pick 44 (Dallas second rounder). Fellow Notre Dame linemen Liam Eichenberg and Aaron Banks could possibly be available at picks 75 and 99. There are too many other good options before you get to Hainsey. Maybe if they grab him with pick 179, then they could say they have some value.
Of course there are higher ranked offensive lineman ahead of him in the draft who could upgrade the Cowboys O-line, but this is all about finding value in the middle rounds.
I like Hainsey , he’d be a great value pick , picking a Vera-Tucker or a Slater will require us to pick them with 10th pick , and to me , I wouldn’t do that , not with guys like Hainsey out there in mid rounds , I also love Kendrick Green from Illinois , he can play Guard or Center , he’ll be a STUD , take it to the bank
I agree with you. I also like Kendrick Green.