Report: Cowboys plan to use 2nd-round tender on starting-caliber lineman

The Cowboys seem eager to work themselves into the second round of the draft if at all possible. But they know they'd have to give up something to do it.

With reports already circulating that the team plans to place a second-round tender on All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey , the front office may employ the same strategy with backup offensive lineman and restricted free agent T.J. Bass . That comes via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Bass went undrafted out of Oregon, but he's made 46 game appearances over three seasons for the Cowboys and has been on the field for over a quarter of the offense's total snaps each year. A versatile and dependable depth option, even on a unit littered with marquee players, Bass has made 10 starts wearing the star.

Just this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis , Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the 26-year-old could definitely handle a bigger role, but admitted it may not be in Dallas .

"Both of those guys are studs," he said , speaking of both Bass and fellow backup lineman Brock Hoffman . "They're glue pieces for us. They're always prepared, they're ready. Both of those guys could start for other teams in the league."

That's exactly what the Cowboys would be banking on by using the second-round tender on Bass, which temporarily places his 2026 pay at $5.8 million. If an interested team were to present him with a better offer sheet, Dallas would have the opportunity to match the offer to keep him on the roster at the higher price. Otherwise, the Cowboys would let Bass leave and receive a second-round draft pick in return.

The Cowboys' apparent willingness to let teams court Bass may provide a clue as to the plan for three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith . Smith is primarily a left guard but has slid over to left tackle when needed; much of Bass's playing time has come in those moments, stepping in for Smith at guard.

There has been talk of moving Smith to tackle permanently, even though Smith has said he prefers guard and his coaches now also seem to be downplaying the idea of a move. Such a position change, though, would- using current personnel- almost certainly promote Bass to the Cowboys' starter at guard. So if the Cowboys are willing to let teams come for Bass, it could signal a decision to keep Smith at guard.

A starting-caliber offensive lineman at a relative bargain price... or additional draft capital in the second round. Either way, the Cowboys likely come out ahead with this move.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys plan to use second-round tender on backup guard T.J. Bass