The Dallas Cowboys haven’t used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman in the 22 years Jerry Jones has owned the franchise.
But Jones hinted Tuesday that he’s open to changing that trend.
“I don’t know if I have ever gone to bed worrying about protecting the passer with the left tackle. And that’s been quite a luxury,” said Jones. “Because if you look at [Mark] Tuinei, then you step on into what we had with Flozell [Adams], we had really signed Larry Allen to be our left tackle. We moved [Allen] out there for a year, he makes All Pro.
"[But] I’m not reluctant to invest a first-round pick ... in an offensive lineman.”
Jon Machota of FOX Sports Southwest calls USC’s Tyron Smith and Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo “the leaders” to be Dallas’ pick at No. 9 overall.
It’s been previously reported that the Cowboys hope to trade down, possibly targeting Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt or California defensive end Cameron Jordan.
But if they stand pat, an offensive tackle is expected at the ninth pick.
Renowned Dallas Morning News draft prognosticator Rick Gosselin sent Smith to the Cowboys in his first mock draft.