Stephen Jones confident in three young OL.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan this morning, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones spoke on the current offensive line picture as the Cowboys head into the offseason looking to replace two starters up front.
In discussing the depth, Jones offered some confidence in three young pieces, one of which stepped up last season when called upon to fill a big role.
“We have guys like [Matt] Waletzko and Asim Richards, young players who are on the come up,” Jones said. “T.J. Bass played really well for us last year. Obviously, they are guys that our fans aren’t as acquainted with as much because they hadn’t played as much, but we feel they can step up – not unlike Tyler [Biadasz] did as a rookie at center and play really well.”
Waletzko is heading into his third season after seeing his first two years harbored by shoulder subluxation issues resulting in just four appearances. Richards, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, made the 53-man roster last season but was never activated. Bass, an undrafted free agent signing last year, was active in all 17 games last season and started in two contests.
Rookies LB DeMarvion Overshown and TE John Stephens Jr. remain on track to recover from their respective torn ACL injuries suffered in the 2023 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, as head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that he is looking to get them each back by training camp.
“They look great,” McCarthy said. “They’re crushing it in the rehab. Those guys, they all work out together. The weight that they all needed in the weight room, that definitely will be a benefit of going through a year of rehab. I’m hopeful we can get them on the field sooner than later but I look for those guys to make an impact starting in training camp.”
Stephens was on track to make the 53-man roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent in the hours following the 2023 draft, while Overshown would’ve played a major role at linebacker in his rookie year. Both will add to a youthful position room in 2024.