6 reasons Cowboys 1st-round pick should pay immediate dividends
6 reasons Cowboys 1st-round pick should pay immediate dividends Drafted for stability, not spotlight, Tyler Booker could quietly become the Cowboys' most impactful addition by helping reshape the trenches in 2025 and beyond.
Rebuilding the offensive line has continued to be priority No. 1 for the Dallas Cowboys. Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Tyler Guyton have been part of the process of helping revamp a front that at one point possessed three All-Pro players who have since retired.
Dallas' next project? Rookie guard Tyler Booker. The Alabama product may not have been the flashiest selection back in April during the 2025 NFL Draft, but it certainly was the right move to make for a unit that needed to replace a franchise great in future hall of famer Zack Martin, even if the nine-time All-Pro is irreplaceable.
With Smith already an All-Pro, Beebe having exceeded expectations in his rookie season, and Guyton hopefully taking a positive step forward in Year 2, Dallas wants to watch their newest addition blossom upfront into the type of player they envision him to be.
Proven Pedigree
While college accolades don't translate to success at the next level, they speak to a player's impact and dominance at his prior level of competition. Booker emerged over his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, playing in 38 games, and was twice named First-Team All-SEC (2023, 2024), a First-Team All-American in 2024, and one recognition that any player would be most proud of, which was being named a team captain in his final season.
NFL-Ready Traits
Booker didn't carry the hype of a top-10 pick, but his tape shows a player built for Sundays. At Alabama, he routinely matched up against NFL-caliber talent and held his ground, both literally and figuratively. He has the thick, sturdy frame needed to anchor against bull rushers, but also the balance and footwork to mirror in space. Booker's hand usage should be advanced for a rookie, and his awareness in pass protection, especially against stunts and blitz pickups, stood out in college. He plays with a noticeable edge, finishing blocks and setting a tone up front. Simply put: this isn't a project. Booker arrives in Dallas ready to compete from Day 1.
Perfect Scheme Fit
Under Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys are expected to lean into a more physical, downhill style on offense. Booker fits that approach seamlessly. He's a people-mover in the run game and plays with a low pad level that allows him to create push at the point of attack. His ability to combo block and seal lanes could be critical to reviving a rushing attack that ranked near the bottom of the league last season. In pass sets, he's more than just serviceable; he stays square to rushers and uses his length well. For a team trying to build a more rugged identity in the trenches, Booker's skillset checks every box.
Right Situation for Growth
Not every rookie lands in a situation built for development, but Booker's does. He won't be asked to carry the offense out of the gate. Instead, he'll be surrounded by veteran leadership and slotted into a line being reshaped with a focus on youth and sustainability. That balance of mentorship and opportunity is ideal. He'll have a chance to learn from experienced pros, adjust to the speed of the NFL, and grow into a larger role without being rushed. And unlike other high-profile picks, Booker isn't being viewed as a savior, instead a stabilizer. That gives him the freedom to develop the right way, without the spotlight burning too hot, too fast.
Cowboys' History with Linemen
A clear-cut argument can be made that the no franchise has had better success at developing first-round offensive lineman than Dallas. The Cowboys have long held the secret formula to identifying the right guys up front when the investment is at it's highest. What prominent names such as Martin, Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick brought to the table was a combination of toughness and consistency, something Booker will look to bring with him on Sundays at AT&T Stadium.
High Impact, Low Flash
Offensive line play doesn't show up on stat sheets but what they can do is help skill players do just that. Still, according to Pro Football Focus, the No. 12 overall pick allowed just two sacks and six QB hits in his three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Above all, Booker is the type of player whose work may not flood the numbers but will show up and help a team win games, something that legendary college coach Nick Saban, who coached Booker for two of his three seasons at Alabama recognized very quickly.
"This guy is a fantastic young man," Saban said during an ABC broadcast last season. "I mean, [he's] smart and you talk about a good leader. Very physical, very tough. Gets movement in the run. That's why people like him so much. This guy's got tremendous muscle mass, which I think is very important to being a power player in the NFL."
If the 6-foot-5, 321-pound guard can make an immediate impact right away, Dallas' line would instantly elevate.
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