No. 2: An Improved Cowboys Offensive Line

Despite his talents, Ezekiel Elliott can’t do it all on his own. A lot, maybe. But he’ll need help.

During his breakout rookie season, the Cowboys owned the No. 2 overall offensive line in the NFL at season’s end, according to Pro Football Focus. Entering 2017, though, Dallas was forced to figure out how to adequately move on from offensive linemen Ronald Leary and Doug Free. While there were some issues here, PFF dropped the Cowboys’ O-line down only two spots by the end of last season.

Heading into 2018, however, Dallas has once again reclaimed its spot at No. 2, per PFF, which had the following to say about this unit’s prospects for the upcoming season:

Rookie second-round pick Connor Williams should slate in nicely at left guard as we had a first-round grade for the Texas product even at tackle. At right tackle, La’el Collins rebounded after some early season struggles to at least flash some competent play down the stretch. If he can improve on his 51 total pressures allowed in 2017, they’re well on their way to earning back that No. 1 spot.

One of the biggest differences was replacing oft-injured offensive guard Jonathan Cooper with Williams, who was one of the better run-blocking guards in college football last year.

PFF gave Williams an 85.7 overall (college) grade last year, while Cooper finished with a lowish 68.7 mark.

It seems as if the Cowboys are going to be much more adept at running the ball this season behind an improved offensive line, which bodes well for Elliott looking more like the 2016 version than what he experienced last year.

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