When the Cowboys drafted Asim Richards out of North Carolina in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, many called it a steal. The 38-game starter had an impressive track record of success in college. He was a technically sound candidate with plenty of experience and proven durability. He thought the main thing he lacked, strength, was something a year in the weight room could fix.
For nearly three years, the Cowboys have been trying to turn the Day 3 draft into a viable NFL OT. There's reason to believe the third time's the charm with Dallas selecting Richards. Considering the contributions, he is already ahead of his predecessors on Day 3.
Josh Ball was selected 138th in the 2021 draft. After suffering a soft tissue injury in the hip/groin area, he landed on IR and did not contribute any snaps in his rookie season. Matt Faltzko was then selected 155th overall in the 2022 draft, but he gave Dallas just one offensive hit in his first year. Richards' 39 snaps in his rookie season are modest but technically blow the numbers of other rookies out of the water.
It's not the snaps he received, but the reports from around the team that have many optimistic about Richards' future.
Gaining experience, however minimal, at LG, RG and LT should pay dividends in the future. Richards, at 6-foot-4 and 307 pounds, may not have fit Dallas' prototype at OT, but his 35-inch arms put him in the rarefied air as a tackle prospect (pro day measurement).
After his outstanding training camp and strong, if limited, season, the needle is pointing back to Richards. He will likely head into camp as a senior backup linebacker and will have a very real opportunity to secure a backup position at tackle.
His ability to play inside is valuable, but TJ Bass, another second-year player, will likely lead the race to be RG2 and LG2.
That changes if Tyler Smith is moved overseas to replace Tyron Smith in 2024 and Bass takes over the starting duties at LG. Then Richards could be a front row player inside as well.
As if it wasn't already obvious, there is a lot to sort out between now and Week 1 of the 2024 season.
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The Cowboys would likely want an original draft pick to take over at LT long-term, so it's hard to see Richards taking that career path, but things aren't that far-fetched elsewhere.
Terence Steele had a poor 2023 season at RT and could be lost if he doesn't improve in 2024. Richards has no experience at RT but a move is not outside the realm of possibility.
There is also the uncertain future to consider. As discussed, Tyler Smith could eventually land at LT, vacating the LG position. And Zach Martin may be filing retirement papers in the not-so-distant future as well. Even if Bass gets one spot, Richards has another spot that could potentially open up as well.
The key for Richards is a flexible attitude.
While many Cowboys fans will roll their eyes at such a statement, the reality is that the offensive line could go down in a number of different ways in the next few seasons and even the Cowboys themselves don't know how things will go. Being a viable option at more than one position will increase the odds of him landing a starting role at some point.
