The Cowboys still aren’t sure who their No. 1 running back will be in 2015. Or who their quarterback will be in 2020.
But after last week’s draft, they at least have a pretty good idea who will be the next Jermey Parnell.
The Cowboys built one of the NFL’s best offensive lines through first-round picks Tyron Smith, Travis Federick and Zack Martin. Parnell was next in line to start until the Cowboys prioritized keeping Doug Free and allowed him to escape to Jacksonville in free agency.
The move opened a hole not in Dallas’ starting five, but in the on-deck circle.
Enter Florida’s Chaz Green, who almost assuredly will have a better career than the Cowboys’ most recent third-round offensive linemen: Stephen Peterman (’04), James Marten (’07) and Robert Brewster (’09).
While some experts didn’t think Green would be drafted at all, the Cowboys’ took his with the 91st pick because of size (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and versatility (started at three different positions as Florida). The only concerns about Green surround his durability, as his history of severe injuries runs from his knee to ankles.
Green certainly has the skill set to be a productive tackle in the NFL. But because of a lack of nastiness and consistent injuries, the Cowboys may have drafted him too high.
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Should Smith or Free get hurt in 2015, we’ll find out the answer.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
