2023 undrafted free agent should be a starter for the Cowboys

The offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys is going to see a major change in 2025.

With Zack Martin retiring, this line is going to depend on a flex of young guys to make sure Dak Prescott has time to throw the ball, and open up some holes for whomever is the starting running back this season.

Internally, the Cowboys have several candidates to fill in for Martin. Brock Hoffman started the final seven games for Martin in 2024 while the veteran underwent season-ending ankle surgery.

Behind Hoffman on the depth chart sits one of my favorite players, T.J. Bass.

A former undrafted free agent from Oregon who has impressed at times over his first two years in the NFL.

Despite finishing 7-10 last year, the team plans to utilize his versatility.

Bass has made 32 appearances with 5 starts, showing the potential to play multiple positions on the offensive line. As the team gears up for the NFL Draft, Bass faces competition but aims to secure a more prominent role on the roster.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer on what he wants at running back and on the offensive line (also: it sounds like Cooper Beebe is staying at center): pic.twitter.com/qUcNVg0Dqd

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 27, 2025

What He Brings

I have said this before, this guy should have been drafted, and the Cowboys got a gift. There is no reason he should not start in 2025.

Bass started 34 straight games throughout three seasons in college. He played over 2,000 snaps and earned first-team all-Pac-12 honors from the coaches in 2021 and 2022.

He logged 894 offensive snaps, 879 at left tackle and seven at left guard. For the other eight, he appeared at tight end.

It only gets better. Bass was the ONLY player to be named Pac-12 offensive lineman of the week multiple times.

Klayton Adams made it clear as a former offensive line coach at the NFL level, he will work closely with Conor Riley to help form the #Cowboys up front.

The two have a pre-existing friendship as well, which helps.

Oh, and there's that "violent" word again: pic.twitter.com/uW13UXiVlP

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 18, 2025

2025 Outlook

Bass is probably going to end up being the backup for multiple spots. He will be a guy that can play left guard if Tyler Smith gets hurt, Center if something happens to Cooper Beebe.

As for right guard, I think he should start over Brock Hoffman. That is just my thought. You don’t have to agree, but in a full-time starting role, I think he would be a excellent player.

The Cowboys could also look to the NFL draft for their Martin replacement. I have no idea what this team will do in the first round, but look at LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.

Alabama guard Tyler Booker is also expected to land in the latter half of the first round and should be available when the Cowboys select at No. 12.

I feel as if people aren’t talking about the makeup of this offensive line going into this year, and I am not sure how it will unfold.

We all know how good Tyler Smith is, so no worries with him, but if Tyler Guyton does not get those penalties under control, he might be a worry.

He is a great raw talent, but he needs to be better this season.

New head coach Brain Schottenheimer spoke highly of Hoffman already, so he may already have his mind made up about how this line will look.

“I would never bet against Brock Hoffman. Brock Hoffman man, if I was in a back room of a bar and had to get out, the way he’s wired, he would be one of the first guys I want with me,” Schottenheimer said, per Nick Harris.

I don’t understand Brock Hoffman starting over TJ Bass.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 28, 2024

“Absolutely, he’s just wired the right way, the flexibility being able to play center and guard of course is the puzzle we have to fit together. But Brock Hoffman, the intensity and the way he plays the game is hard to find.”

I still would like to see Bass get a full time starting role and let him play until he loses it, how he went from projected first round pick to undrafted, I have no idea three years later.