There's a new face on the Dallas Cowboys' roster.

With the club firing up OTAs, they're also looking to round out their 90-man roster in a way that creates the most competition possible across the board and considering the step backwards taken by the usually-stout offensive line in 2017, it stands to reason they'd keep a target planted firmly on that unit this offseason. What began with the free agent signings of Cameron Fleming and Marcus Martin continued with the 50th-overall selection of Connor Williams, but that wasn't the end. Having worked out 13 players ahead of OTAs, two of them being offensive linemen, they've become enamored with one in particular.

The team has announced the signing of former USC guard Damien Mama, waving goodbye to Jarron Jones in the process.

Jones was initially signed to the Cowboys' practice squad in September 2017, replacing late-round draft pick Dan Skipper. A defensive lineman who converted to the opposite side of the trench during his collegiate days, he had previous stints with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants before landing in Dallas. Although he was never promoted to the active 53-man roster last season, the Cowboys were interested enough to ink him to a futures deal in January, but the addition of Mama has ended his future prematurely with the club.

An undrafted free agent in 2017, Mama was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs before being released and scooped by the Giants, now hoping to find a long-term home with the offensive line-loving Cowboys. A former High School All-American, he brings a big body to the table, his 6-foot-3, 334 lb. frame being just what the doctor ordered on the offensive interior.

"The Los Angeles metro area native was everybody's High School All-American on the offensive line, and kept his talents in town by signing with the Trojans. Mama became one of the first duo of true freshman starters in a Trojans' season opener with Toa Lobendahn, starting four games that season (two at left guard, two at right guard). He was a 2015 honorable mention All-Pac-12 pick at left guard after starting 13 of 14 games played, and won that starting job again in 12 of 13 games in 2016, earning second-team all-conference recognition by league coaches." - NFL.com



Here's a glance at his measurables coming out of USC:

You'll immediately notice his weight, arm length and hand size as compared to the rest of his class -- three things that will give him quite the advantage at the professional level.

It's a well-known fact the Giants haven't truly valued the importance of an offensive line in recent history, but Mama could wind up being a strong depth piece behind Williams and will keep Martin on his toes as well going forward (no, not that Martin), his play in a big collegiate program also helping his case. He's not afraid of the bright lights, and they get no brighter than when you're tasked with opening up lanes for running back Ezekiel Elliott. Avoiding a cart-before-the-horse scenario though, Mama is still unproven and will enter OTAs not knowing if he'll have a job tomorrow or the next day.

The Cowboys want to see more after already seeing enough to show Jones the door, and that's a pretty good start.