The Cowboys spent their first-round draft pick this year on Tyler Smith with the intent of playing him, at least for the short term, at left guard. That position had a vacancy because Connor Williams, a starter at left guard for all four years of his pro career, left in free agency.
Not only did Williams leave in free agency, but the Cowboys hardly made any effort to keep him. They may have exerted more energy holding the door for him as he walked out than anything. Williams signed with the Dolphins, where he’s been converted to the starting center for a Miami offense that’s now third in offense DVOA.