David

Arkin

The team’s fourth-round pick a year ago was unable to deliver when given an opportunity to start in the pre-season, and ended up not playing a single snap during the regular season. The Cowboys are expected add depth to the offensive line via this month’s draft, which would put Arkin squarely on the roster bubble.

After replacing Pro Bowler Andre Gurode, Costa rated as the 30th-best center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Second-year OGs Bill Nagy and David Arkin could slide over. The Cowboys haven’t ruled out drafting a center, either.

Dallas had a third-round grade on Leary, who fell out of the draft due to concerns that his knee will eventually require microfracture surgery. Leary appears to have bypassed 2011 fourth-rounder David Arkin, who was inactive for all 16 games as a rookie. Veteran Mackenzy Bernadeau (hip surgery) is a prime candidate for the training camp PUP list, leaving the door open for Leary to snag the starting job.

Coming from small-school Missouri State, Arkin concedes that “anchor strength” was a stumbling block as a rookie. The 2011 fourth-rounder is expected to battle Mackenzy Bernadeau (hip surgery) and impressive undrafted rookie Ronald Leary for the starting right guard job.

While it makes sense in light of Mackenzy Bernadeau’s recent hip surgery, the projection is notable because the Cowboys’ website has projected Arkin as a bubble player in training camp. Arkin has some intriguing tools, but the organization believed he “wasn’t physically ready for the NFL” in 2011. The Cowboys’ interior offensive line could be a trouble spot in 2012.

Bernadeau has yet to begin running, but he has graduated to light workouts and upper-body exercises. Last year’s fourth-rounder, David Arkin, is picking up first-team reps in the meantime.

C Phil Costa’s primary backup, Arkin had never played center before this season. Per beat writer Brandon George, Arkin has “snapped several balls over the head of the quarterback and it’s been a constant issue, even in walkthroughs.” Even with a healthy Costa, center is a glaring weakness for Big D.

Arkin, the No. 110 overall pick out of Missouri State in 2011, struggled with snapping the ball last summer, and he’s been leapfrogged on the depth chart at guard by Ronald Leary. He’s squarely on the roster bubble.

Arkin has been bouncing around the league since being taken by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, but he has played just 13 career snaps in the regular season. Set to turn 30 in October, he is likely nearing the end of the line.

Arkin was signed off the Cowboys’ practice squad. He’ll take the suspended Richie Incognito’s roster spot, but not his starting job. Arkin has never appeared in an NFL game. He’s just a depth signing.