Tackles drafted – Erik Williams (91), James Brown (92), Ron Stone (93), Larry Allen (94), Shane Hannah (95), Flozell Adams (98), Oliver Ross (98), Solomon Page (99), Char-ron Dorsey (01)
Guards drafted – Steve Wisniewski (89 – draft day traded to Raiders for FB Moose Johnston, DE Rhondy Weston & DT Jeff Roth), James Richards (91), Mike Sullivan (91), Sean Love (91), Tom Myslinski (92), Rod Milstead (92), John Terry (92), Kenneth McDaniel (96), Steve Scifres (97), Antonio Fleming (98), Kelvin Garmin (99), Tyson Walter (03), Justin Bates (03)
Centers drafted – Mark Stepnoski (’89), Clay Shiver (96), Matt Lehr (01), Andre Gurode (02), Al Johnson (03)
From 1989 through 2003, the Cowboys drafted 13 college offensive guards, but the only offensive guard the Cowboys drafted from college that made a Pro Bowl was a pre-pick draft day trade of Steve Wisniewski. They drafted 9 college Tackles. 2 made the Pro Bowl as Tackles in the NFL and 2 other college tackles who made the Pro Bowl as Guards in the NFL, including Hall of Fame Larry Allen. They also drafted 5 centers, including 2 Pro Bowl players.
2004 thru 2023
Tackles drafted – Jacob Rogers (04), Rob Petitti (05), Pat McQuistan (06), James Marten (07), Doug Free (07), Robert Brewster (09), Sam Young (10), Tyron Smith (11), Zack Martin (14), Chaz Green (15), Laurence Gibson (15), Connor Williams (18), Josh Ball (21), Tyler Smith (22), Matt Waletzko (22), Asim Richards (23)
Guards drafted – Stephen Peterman (04), David Arkin (11)
Centers drafted – E.J. Whitley (06), Bill Nagy (11), Travis Frederick (13), Connor McGovern (19), Tyler Biadasz (20), Matt Farniok (21)
The Cowboys changed their strategy for drafting Offensive Linemen after 2003. Since then, they’ve only drafted 2 college offensive guards and even though they were drafted in the 3rd and 4th rounds, both were complete busts, never taking a snap in the regular season of the NFL. But they’ve drafted 16 college offensive tackles, and 5 college centers. They’ve drafted 4 Pro Bowl players, including 2 tackles and 2 Centers. 1 tackle and 1 center they’ve drafted are still playing in the NFL for other teams, both as offensive guards.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys have drafted 14 college offensive guards to play for them since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. None, absolutely zero of them, have become NFL contributors. In that same time, they’ve drafted a bunch of college offensive tackles, including 6 who have become Pro Bowl players. 3 of those played Guard in the NFL. It is too soon to know if Tyler Smith will become a Pro Bowl player, and we still don’t know if he’ll make it as a Guard or Tackle. They’ve also drafted 4 Pro Bowl Centers.
There is a reason the Cowboys don’t waste draft picks on college offensive guards anymore. They only draft Centers and Tackles. Their Offensive Guard supply comes from the ranks of Centers and Tackles who convert to Guard in the NFL. So, if you are mourning because the Cowboys didn’t draft Steve Avila or O’Cyrus Torrence this past April, maybe reconsider your position based on the actual history of Cowboys in drafting Offensive Linemen.
