When the Cowboys added the La’el Collins from the undrafted group of players, they pretty much clinched the rebuilding of the Cowboys offensive line. Collins was slated to go early in the 1st round of the draft, but the Cowboys got the player that could send this offensive line into the prolific stratosphere.
Collins came to Dallas to play alongside one of the best group of offensive lineman in the NFL, and they are still young for the most part. Doug Free is the elder of the group, but after resurrecting his career at RT, he has become the leader of that squad and brings valuable experience to the group.
We knew the Cowboys wanted to upgrade both guard positions as early as last year’s draft when it was revealed the Cowboys wanted to double-dip at the position with Zack Martin and Trai Turner. Adding Collins has completed that goal.
The Cowboys say there will be competition at the LG spot which is currently held by Ronald Leary, but let’s be real, Collins will be a day one starter. Now, the Cowboys have two starting caliber guards at LG, and we now have an asset that other clubs would like. The Cowboys have also protected themselves this year and for the future when they drafted Chaz Green, who has the position flex to lineup at guard or tackle.
Leary is a proven starter in this league and the Cowboys have groomed him to what he is today. The Cowboys have the opportunity to move him via a trade; otherwise, they’ll lose him to free agency next season for sure. This is a copy cat league and the Cowboys are leading the way for the ground and pound renaissance. We are years ahead of the curve and other teams are just now taking similar plans to build their lines to showcase their running attack.
Where could Leary be shipped to, and for who?
It’s no secret the Cowboys want to get better at the running back position and Broaddus over at the mothership has been saying it for awhile, we should expect the running back group to change up. Just this past week Broaddus said he felt the Cowboys are probably at 60% or higher chance of trading for a running back. I don’t take much conjecture from many that report on the Cowboys but Broaddus has his thumb on the pulse of this team and has probably heard some ideas being floated around behind the scenes, so this idea has some credence in my opinion.
Here are some backs the Cowboys could be targeting in a player-for-player trade:
Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins would like to improve the interior of their line and Leary would be a nice match here. Miller has youth (24) on his side as well and plays with a physical style the Cowboys like for their primary backs. He’s in his final year of his contact and slated to make $660k this season. The Cowboys could make this trade and extend Miller. The Dolphins have a stable of backs and got a steal when they draft Jay Ajayi on the 3rd day of the draft.
Knile Davis, KC Chiefs. The Chiefs have a need at guard, and Leary would step in right away and start for them. With Davis, the Cowboys stay young (23) at the back position and they utilize his kick return skills, an area the Cowboys need help at.
Gio Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys had interest in Bernard enough to bring him in for a 2013 private visit. Bernard is seen as a player that plays in certain roles and stuck behind Jeremy Hill for snaps. The Bengals went heavy on offensive line this past draft double-dipping at tackle, but they could use an upgrade at the guard position.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears. This is the one I see less likely only because of the age factor and price. Forte will be 30 in December. Supposedly, he’s looking for an extension, but the Bears are reluctant and drafting Jeremy Langford suggest they may be moving that direction sooner than later. Still, if the Cowboys wanted to deal Leary for Forte and extend him to a decent deal of $4 mill/yr for 3 years max, it may be a deal they would swing.
Terrance West, Cleveland Browns. West was drafted last year in the 3rd round, but they added Duke Johnson this year who some are pegging as their starter already. West is a physical and versatile back the Cowboys covet, and with a need at guard, this could work for both teams.
Michael Brockers, St. Louis Rams. I know he’s not a RB, but this is my sleeper pick for this whole trade speculation revolving around Leary. There was a 25th hour trade rumor that involved several teams that were rumored to be interested in trading for Michael Brockers and the Cowboys were one of those teams. The Rams are very deep at the DT spot and Brockers could be had in this trade scenario, and would be a more athletic 1-tech the Cowboys are looking for.
What do you guys think, Will the Cowboys move Leary and for who?
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