The Dallas Cowboys have a major hole to fill on their offensive line after future Hall of Famer Zack Martin’s retirement. Could Dallas look to a former Washington Commanders’ draft pick to fill that hole?
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Cowboys recently worked out Saahdiq Charles. Charles, a 2020 fourth-round pick of the Commanders, actually retired last summer after signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He recently announced he wanted to play again, and Tennessee granted his release.
The #Cowboys worked out veteran OL Saahdiq Charles today, source says. The former fourth-round pick of the #Commanders recently came out of retirement after walking away last summer during camp with the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/V9FAudmkxv
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 4, 2025
Charles played left tackle for LSU during its undefeated national championship season in 2019. Washington drafted the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Charles, hoping he could replace Trent Williams, whom it traded to San Francisco. It didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t happening. By 2021, Charles was working exclusively at guard with some success.
Injuries plagued Charles during his four seasons with the Commanders. He appeared in 35 out of a possible 67 games for Washington and made 18 starts, primarily at guard.
Tennessee signed Charles and he was expected to start at right guard in 2024 before he abruptly walked away from the game. While some teams may question Charles’ commitment, perhaps a year off was what he needed mentally and physically. Charles is still only 25 years old.
Charles isn’t going to remind anyone of Martin, but Dallas could prove to be the right opportunity for him to get back into the NFL.