Despite $50M investment, Cowboys have glaring depth issue in key group

In the NFL’s salary cap era, no team has ideal depth across their roster. Experiments and gambles must be taken to fit a 53-man roster under the cap, and while some turn out roses, others are nothing but thorns. In the grand scheme, the Dallas Cowboys have been extremely fortunate to have won many of their gambles in 2026.

If there’s one glaring weakness, though, it’s on the big guys protecting the Cowboys’ most valuable player. Heading down the homestretch of the preseason it’s become clear; Dallas’ offensive line has less depth than a Kardashian.

The Cowboys' receiver situation couldn’t have unfolded better. Not only did George Pickens show up motivated and ready to dominate, but Ryan Flournoy proved to be every bit the breakout player fans hoped he’d be this season. Even the bubble guys, Camden Brown and Jonathan Mingo, look like they’re ready to dazzle onlookers in 2026.

Running back and tight end could be better, but both have stable options at backup and both offer some upside players on the cusp. Quarterback looked like a problem at the start of camp but after a strong start from Joe Milton, it has a degree of promise.

Even the defense has worked out in many ways. Safety is ridiculously deep and cornerback unfolded as probably the best-case scenario. Linebacker could use a veteran addition, but Shemar James and Jaishawn Barham are tantalizing prospects behind the expected starters. The front five even got a boost with the recent addition of Von Miller at edge. It sets Dallas up to have a solid rotation across the defensive line.

But the offensive line reserves? It’s a backup unit that largely consists of T.J. Bass and a handful of project players. Bass is good to cover any of the interior positions, but things become problem if two injuries befall the interior.

Appears some Cowboys made some changes on the initial second-team offensive line, at least for this practice:

LT: Drew Shelton
LG: Trevor Keegan
C: Nick Leverett
RG: TJ Bass
RT: Nate Thomas

Nate Thomas, last year’s most promising backup, hasn’t made the strides the Cowboys hoped he would in Year 3. He’s bounced between left tackle and right tackle in camp but neither side has looked particularly good. Drew Shelton, Dallas’ rookie offensive tackle, has looked ions away from being NFL ready. He’s still a promising prospect, but that doesn’t help much in 2026.

Nate Thomas really, realllllllllllly struggled in the first quarter

Ideally, the Cowboys would find one more emergency backup to plug on their roster heading into the season, but this isn’t an ideal world. 31 other NFL teams wish they had more depth on the offensive line so it’s probably just wishful thinking to bank on one of those linemen falling into Dallas’ open arms.

The Cowboys have roughly $50M invested in their top six offensive linemen this year, but behind that it’s bad option after bad option. Health is key for this unit because the depth is nonexistent and the falloff is extreme. Bookmark this as a reminder next offseason when the draft rolls around, because unglamorous offensive linemen are often money well spent.  

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Despite $50M investment, Cowboys have glaring depth issue in key group