Cowboys third-year bench guy is sleeper to find his way into starting lineup

USA Today

18-07-2025

It's almost a forgone conclusion that Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton will begin the 2025 season as the Dallas Cowboys starting offensive tackles. One is a first-round pick, and the other is the highest paid lineman on the roster. The Cowboys might not want to admit it, but money and draft pedigree play around these parts and these two players will be given every opportunity in 2025.
The only problem here is neither of these offensive tackles are very good in pass protection. In fact, a case can be made they're downright terrible at it. With Guyton just 24 years old, that could definitely change in an instant, but both tackles struggled mightily with this portion of their jobs.
As such, the man situated directly behind them has a lot to gain from a tumultuous preseason from the starters. Asim Richards, the back-up left tackle and a potential 2025 swing tackle, is another 24-year-old with upside. The former North Carolina product has been a steady contributor in Dallas, logging 220 offensive snaps over the past two seasons.
Working primarily at LT, Richards is a direct alternative to Guyton. Guyton reportedly is having a great offseason but the same was said at this time last year so words of hype should be taken with a grain of salt. Guyton has all the physical skills be a solid LT in the NFL if he can just take a step in the head and heart department.
Richards seemingly has the head and heart covered and has been showing steady gains from the physical side of things. He doesn't have the ceiling of Guyton but he offers a decent floor. His ability to set the floor likely contributed to Chuma Edoga leaving in free agency and offers Dallas a solid Plan B should Guyton falter.
It's difficult to say if Richards is an option at right tackle. He's worked almost exclusively on the left and the Cowboys may want to focus the rookie Ajani Cornelius on that task opposite Richards. Steele is a good enough run blocker and extremely durable anyway, so it's likely Richard's best chances will come behind Guyton at LT.
Guyton is someone everyone should be rooting for and the someone the coaching staff is encouraged to be patient with. His potential is undeniable and the rewards well worth some bumps in the road. But Richards is in a very, dare it be said 'awesome' situation as a backup coming to camp.
He's a favorite for a top reserve role and he has a reasonable path to starting lineup. If he develops at the same rate he's been trending, he could be a starting quality OT by some point this year.
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