It’s often difficult to predict what the Cowboys long-term plans are. The family-run franchise plays things close to the vest and appears to actively enjoy the informational cat and mouse game they play which sparks rampant speculation each and every offseason.
Knowing how the Cowboys view certain players would go a long way in predicting what their roster building plans are and prevent many needless offseason debates. For instance, how do the Cowboys view reserve guard, T.J. Bass?
Bass, 6-foot-4, 325-pounds, was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. The Oregon product was ranked as the 14th guard prospect on Dane Brugler’s draft board and appeared to divide scouts in his projection. 32-inch arms and limited athelticsim limited his ceiling. And since the last 21 games he put on tape were at LT, his ability to play OG at the next level involved plenty of speculation.
As a rookie, Bass would go on to start two games, taking 343 snaps on offense. His impact proved greater than that of fourth-round rookie Asim Richards, as well as 2022 fifth rounder Matt Waletzko and 2021 fourth rounder Josh Ball. He outperformed higher pedigreed players and laid the groundwork for what could be a long NFL career.
At the very least Bass appears to be a high-end reserve guard with the flex to be either side of center. His ceiling is an interesting topic for debate because where the Cowboys top brass believes it to be will likely impact decisions down the road.
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Rookie OL rarely hit the ground running which is what make’s Bass’s 2023 campaign so impressive. He didn’t light the NFL on fire but he certainly held his own. The idea of him taking the next step in his first professional offseason and becoming a midlevel starter in Year 2 isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
If the Cowboys see this to be true, they may be more willing to move Tyler Smith to LT to replace Tyron Smith (who is expected to depart in free agency). Such a move would likely be a step back at the quality of production at LG but it would help prevent disaster at LT and allow the Cowboys more flexibility with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Bass’s trajectory is also impressive enough to…
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