When the Cowboys drafted Asim Richards from North Carolina in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft, many called it a steal. The 38-game starter had a track record of success in college. He was a technically sound prospect with loads of experience and proven durability. It was believed the main thing he lacked, strength, was something a year in the weight room could fix.
For roughly three years the Cowboys have been trying to turn a Day 3 draft pick into a viable NFL OT. There is reason to believe the third time is the charm with Dallas’ selection of Richards. Looking at contributions, he’s already ahead of his two Day 3 predecessors.
Josh Ball was selected No. 138 in the 2021 draft. After suffering a soft tissue injury in the hip/groin area, he landed on IR contributing zero snaps his rookie season. Matt Waletzko was then selected 155th in the 2022 draft but he only gave Dallas one offensive snap in his rookie year. Richards’ 39 snaps his rookie season are modest but technically blow both of the other guys’ rookie numbers out of the water.
It’s not the snaps he did get, but rather the reports coming from around the team that lead many to be optimistic about Richards’ future.
Gaining experience, however miniscule, at LG, RG, and LT should payoff down the road. Richards, 6-foot-4, 307-pounds, might not have fit Dallas’ prototype at OT but his 35-inch arms put him in rarefied air as a tackle prospect (pro day measurement).
2024 role
After his standout
After his standout training camp and solid, albeit limited, regular season, the needle is pointed up for Richards. He likely heads into camp as a top reserve lineman and will get the very real chance to secure a backup position at tackle.
His ability to play the interior is valuable but T.J. Bass, another second-year player, likely leads the race to be RG2 and LG2.
That changes if Tyler Smith is moved outside to replace Tyron Smith in 2024 and Bass takes over as the starting gig at LG. Then Richards could be first in line on the interior as well.
As if it’s not clear, there’s much to sort out between now and Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Long-term role
The Cowboys likely want a pedigreed draft pick to take over at LT long-term, so it’s difficult seeing Richards taking that career path, but things aren’t so farfetched elsewhere.
Terence Steele had an abysmal 2023 season at RT and could be cut lose if he doesn’t improve in 2024. Richards doesn’t have experience at RT but a move isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
There’s also the uncertain future at guard to consider. As discussed, Tyler Smith could eventually land at LT, vacating the LG position. And Zack Martin may be filing retirement papers in the not-too-distant future as well. Even if Bass claims one spot, Richards has another spot potentially opening up as well.
The key for Richards is position flex.
While many Cowboys fans will roll their eyes at such a statement, the realty is the offensive line could fall a number of different ways the next few seasons and even the Cowboys themselves don’t know how it play out. Being a viable option at more than one position will increase his odds of carving out a starting role at some point.
