Cowboys Select G Tyler Booker At No. 12

After losing Zack Martin to retirement this offseason, the Cowboys have made a first-round investment at guard to replace him. Alabama’s Tyler Booker is headed to Dallas.

Booker was a two-year starter at Alabama, earning a pair of first-team All-SEC nods and an All-American accolade over that span. At 6-foot-5 and 321 points, Booker was lauded for his surprising agility, and there’s a belief the prospect simply has to work on his consistency to emerge into a long-time starting offensive guard.

Considering his measurables and performance, Booker was considered the top offensive guard prospect in the draft. While Cowboys fans may have been hoping for a splashier selection, the rookie should instantly plug a hole for the squad while providing potential stability at the position for years to come.

Martin manned the RG spot for 11 years; his retirement left a major hole on the Cowboys offensive line. Booker will now step into the role and provide more youth to the already-young offensive line. 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith will start on the opposite side at LG, while 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton mans LT and 2024 third-round pick Cooper Beebe is at center.

Booker should be a starter from Day 1, but the Cowboys did put in some effort to add interior OL depth this offseason. If the rookie isn’t immediately ready for a starting role, the team could turn to free agent addition Robert Jones. Still, considering the rookie’s college track record and his impressive scouting report, Booker will surely be in the lineup come Week 1.

After the Cowboys closed 2023 with Martin and Tyron Smith at their longtime roles, along with four-year starter Tyler Biadasz at center, they are now poised to have four rookie-contract starters up front. Though, Tyler Smith is a surefire extension candidate. Dallas rostering three rookie-scale O-line starters will certainly help the team cover the costs of the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb deals, with a monstrous Micah Parsons payday also likely on tap this year.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.