The moment one of the best right guards to ever play, Zach Martin, called it quits after 11 seasons and nine Pro Bowl appearances, the Dallas Cowboys began scrambling to find his replacement.
Not long after, it seemed they had found a candidate to be their guy, signing former Miami Dolphin Robert Jones to a $3.75 million contract.
Or did they?
Soon after, the NFL Draft kicked off, and Dallas held the 12th overall pick. Many expected them to select a receiver, such as Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan or Texas’ Matthew Golden. (Tet, as it turned out, was indeed their No. 1 target.) But once McMillan was off the board, the Cowboys went in a different direction, selecting offensive guard Tyler Booker from Alabama.
So what does this mean for Robert Jones? A player who initially looked like a clear starter candidate at right guard now seems to have been pushed to the back burner, as a young rookie star appears poised to take over the role.
Not only have Jones' starting chances evaporated, even his place on the roster is suddenly in question.
Why would the Cowboys draft a guard in the first round after signing a free agent to a sizable deal? Robert Jones is the kind of player you know what you’re getting from: a steady, dependable starter who likely won’t contend for individual accolades but is good enough to hold the position.
But after Martin held down that right guard spot at an elite level for so long, the Cowboys clearly don’t just want “good enough.” They want a player who can make a difference, someone who can be in the Pro Bowl conversation year after year. And they believe Tyler Booker - a plug-and-play "Day 1 starter,'' as they've called him - can be that guy.
As of now, the best-case scenario for Jones appears to be serving as a valuable backup, a depth piece on the offensive line who can step in wherever needed if injuries arise. The worst-case scenario? He struggles during training camp and preseason, ultimately failing to make the 53-man roster.
The Cowboys are projected to keep at least 10 offensive linemen on the final roster — five starters and five reserves. Recent re-signing Brock Hoffman is expected to take one of the reserve spots after showing promise as a part-time starter last season. That leaves Jones likely battling for one of the last two spots among the linemen.
Jones will need to arrive at training camp on July 21 in Oxnard, California, ready to compete at a level he never has before to secure his place on the team. Otherwise, the Cowboys risk having spent $3.75 million — with $3 million guaranteed — on a player who ends up on the practice squad, on another team, or simply watching the season from his couch.
