The Cowboys Big Uglies Should See Increased Grades

Will the Dallas Cowboys’ big uglies see an increase in grades?

Klayton Adams came over to the Dallas Cowboys from the Arizona Cardinals, where he was the offensive line coach. He was also an offensive lineman at Boise State, so he knows a thing or two.

Conor Riley is the new offensive line coach. He came from the NCAA level at Kansas State and is considered one of, if not the best, offensive line coaches in NCAA football.

These two will take over a Dallas Cowboys offensive line that did not fare well but seemed to turn the corner late in the season.

How do the Cowboys compare to the Cardinals linemen, and what type of increase can be seen?

Klayton Adams Arizona Cardinal Offensive Line Compared to the Cowboys

The Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line was the road graders for James Connor and kept Kyler Murray upright, and they did a good job.

The starting five, according to ESPN’s depth chart for the Cardinals, were:

LT – Paris Johnson Jr. (6’6” 313)

LG – Evan Brown (6’3” 320)

C – Hjalte Froholdt (6’5” 310)

RG – Will Hernandez (6’2” 322)

RT – Kelvin Beachum (6’3” 308)

The offensive line’s average height is 6’4”, and their average weight is 315 lbs. The Cowboys should exceed this size range.

The starting five, according to ESPN’s depth chart for the Cowboys, were:

LT – Tyler Guyton (6’7” 322)

LG – Tyler Smith (6’6” 332

C – Cooper Beebe (6’4” 335)

RG – Zack Martin (6’4” 315)

RT – Terence Steele (6’6” 310)

The average height of the Cowboys offensive line was 6’5”, and their weight was 323. The Cowboys’ line exceeded the Cardinals’ line by an average of one inch and eight pounds.

A Jump in Production at Center Should be Seen Next Season

One of the things that jumps out about the Cardinals’ offensive line is Hjalte Froholdt’s conversion from guard to center.

Teaching a player the center position will be beneficial for the Dallas Cowboys because they have the same type of guy as their second-year player, Cooper Beebe.

In 2024, Hjalte Froholdt had a pass-block grade of 66.1 (25th out of 64 centers), a run-block grade of 78.1 (7th/64), and an overall grade of 76.1 (7th/64).

Cooper Beebe’s 2024 pass-block grade was 60.3 (43rd/64), run-block grade was 66.1 (25th/64), and an overall grade was 65.4 (21st/64).

I like the upside the second-year player, Cooper Beebe, has with Klayton Adams, who is in charge of the offense and assisting with the offensive line.

Left Tackle a Concern and Growth Will Happen

The Cowboys’ major concern is the left tackle position, as rookie Tyler Guyton struggled in his first year.

The Cardinals’ left tackle last season was Paris Johnson Jr., a second-year player similar in size to Tyler Guyton.

Paris Johnson Jr had a good year with Klayton Adams coaching him. He had a pass-block grade of 78.1 (27th/141), a run-block grade of 73.8 (22nd/141), and an overall grade of 80.8 (12th/141).

In comparison, Tyler Guyton had a pass-block grade of 60.2 (81st/141), a run-block grade of (51.3 117th/141), and an overall grade of 49.4 (116th/141)

Paris Johnson Jr.’s overall grade was 60.1 in his rookie season, and it jumped 20.7 points in his second year under Adams.

That should be good news for Guyton, who could see a similar trajectory.

Left Guard Not an Issue, but Elevated Play Will be on the Menu

Evan Brown played left guard, and his grades increased from the previous season.

In 2023, Evan Brown had a pass-blocking grade of 45.5, a run-blocking grade of 69, and an overall grade of 64.8.

In 2024, Brown had a pass-blocking grade of 73.5 (27th/135), a 28-point increase from the previous year, a run-block grade of 58.7 (82nd/135), a decrease of 10.3, and an overall grade of 65.9 (46th/135), an increase of 1.1.

Tyler Smith was the bright spot on the Cowboys offensive line.

He had a pass-blocking grade of 76.0 (14th/135), a run-block grade of 73.8 (21st/135), and an overall grade of 75.0 (22nd/135).

Tyler Smith’s numbers should see a slight increase, and he could solidify himself as one of the best guards in the NFL next season.

Right Guard Uncertainty

The Cowboys’ right guard position could see big changes with Zack Martin unsure of his next move. Brock Hoffman was a good replacement down the stretch.

The Cardinals had a familiar face at right guard, Will Hernandez, who the Cowboys know well from his time with the New York Giants.

Will Hernandez’s grades last year were average; he had a pass-block grade of 74.2 (22/135), a run-block grade of 66.0 (49th/135), and an overall grade of 69.3 (33rd/135).

In limited time, Zack Martin had a pass-block grade of 62.0 (71st/135), a run-block grade of 63.3 (60th/135), and an overall grade of 65.6 (48th/135).

Brock Hoffman had a pass-block grade of 62.1 (69th/135), a run-block grade of 68.9 (37th/135), and an overall grade of 66.3 (44th/135).

Honestly, if Brock Hoffman were to take over, he could have a good year at right guard for the Cowboys.

Right Tackle was a Roller-coaster

Terence Steele was the right tackle for the Cowboys, and he had an up-and-down year. A new coach could help him tremendously.

The right tackle for the Cardinals was Kelvin Beachum, who was average.

Kelvin Beachum had a pass-block grade of 75.4 (35th/141), a run-block grade of 54.2 (107th/141), and an overall grade of 64.1 (58th/141).

These numbers are comparable to Terence Steele’s, but if the pass-block grade increases, Steele could return to the near-elite right tackle play.

Terence Steele had a pass-block grade of 57.5 (90th/141), a run-block grade of 78.9 (13th/141), and an overall grade of 67.0 (47th/141).

Steele will likely be back next season, so an increase in pass-blocking would be an upgrade without paying an outside free agent.

The addition of Klayton Adams and Conor Riley will help the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line reach a level not seen in years.

That alone will create massive opportunities for the offense as a whole.

With Adams overseeing the offense and Riley fine-tuning the big uglies. Fans should expect a big year from this offensive line.