Cowboys Could Have a Winner in Lone Star Lineman

Longevity in sports is often predicated on two things: efficiency and availability.

If an aging player plays a small, yet valuable role on his team, he may see the end of the regular season on an active roster.

If a player is an iron man in his sport, his number may be called when others are injured.

Cowboys rookie Matt Farniok, drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 Draft, hopes to be a star for Dallas, no matter where he's placed on the O-line.

The lineman out of Nebraska spent his high school and collegiate career playing both guard and tackle, but now he is ready to add center for the Cowboys to his resume. 

In an interview with DallasCowboys.com, the rookie mentioned three things on his mind at the start of rookie mini camps: Playing guard, center, or tackle.

Farniok told Cowboys’ senior writer Rob Phillips that the coaching staff is looking to test the prospect with the possibility of playing several different positions on the front line. "They told me to be versatile," Farniok expressed. "They said, 'Be ready to play every position. Whether it's guard, center or tackle, just be ready.'"

The O-line for the Dallas Cowboys is like the story of Icarus. PFF ranked the 2020 offensive line unit 27th in the league, a massive fall from their elite status they enjoyed throughout the 2010s.

With Dallas’ stars, including Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins, unavailable due to repeated injuries, and 2020 starter Joe Looney still a free agent, they need new talent to step up. Matt Farniok could be the guy.

The Cowboys are certainly crossing their fingers that Matt Farniok can contribute, and so far, the rookie seems willing to win big in Dallas.