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The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is going to look a little bit different in 2020 as Travis Frederick retired this offseason. The unit played without him as recently as 2018, but having it be permanent adds a different factor.
Outside of center, the Cowboys offensive line figures to be pretty predictable. Of course what Dallas does at center could impact what happens at left guard as there has been talk of moving Connor Williams there, but with rookie Tyler Biadasz maybe that much change won’t be necessary. Dallas has options with Joe Looney and Connor McGovern as well.
The subject of swing tackle is a different discussion, though, as there are seemingly less options there. Williams’ name had been thrown out as a potential right tackle of the future but La’el Collins’ extension last year ended that. Could someone else take over at left guard while Williams serves as the swing? Maybe, or maybe the swing tackle will be someone else.
The Dallas Cowboys are signing offensive lineman Cam Erving
It was Cam Fleming that served as the Cowboys’ swing tackle for the last couple of seasons but he is now a member of the New York Giants. Stephen Jones loves to talk about how roster construction takes place every day of the year and that seems to be the case on May 6th, 2020.
The Dallas Cowboys are signing a different offensive lineman named Cam, Cam Erving. Stephen Jones announced the news during a conference call with season ticket holders.
Cowboys have agreed to terms with former Chiefs OL Cameron Erving, source said. A one-year contract. Not formally signed yet, but that is expectation, pending physical.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 6, 2020
Erving played primarily at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs last year, he’s been in KC since 2017. PFF graded him at 59th for full transparency and perspective.
For a better and more in-depth idea on what the Chiefs got from Erving we went to the best. Arrowhead Pride’s manager and lead editor Pete Sweeney provided us with this review of the newest Cowboys offensive lineman.
The Chiefs traded for Erving back in 2017, and he spent the last three years with the team — including the Super Bowl-winning season. Erving started four games for the Chiefs in 2017, leading the team to sign him to a contract extension that offseason. That contract included this 2020 option year, which the Chiefs declined. In total, Erving started 25 regular-season games during his three-year stay in Kansas City.
During his time in Kansas City, Erving proved to be — at his best — a borderline sixth offensive lineman. He doesn’t like playing center, can work at guard and probably is best as a tackle. Erving filled in during the Super Bowl season, starting eight games at left tackle with Eric Fisher out due to injury. Chiefs fans will forever remember cringing as Erving backed into Patrick Mahomes’ already-injured ankle during a Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Erving did not see the field again once Fisher was healthy.
Hopefully Erving’s better days are ahead of him. If he truly is best as a tackle and this team is in need of a reserve, a sixth man to the point, then hopefully things work out.
Welcome to the Cowboys, Cam Erving.