Most of the Cowboys’ offensive starters are already set for 2026, but Nate Thomas still has a chance at being among them. Just within the last few weeks, it’s been confirmed that Thomas is competing for the starting job at left tackle. If he’s victorious, Thomas is in the unfortunate position of having his personal success perceived as a team failure.
Background
Years in NFL: 2
Acquired by: 2024 7th-round pick
Thomas spent two years as the starting left tackle for the Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns before entering the draft.
At least one draft analyst gave him a fourth-round grade, with the thought that Thomas would find more success in the NFL as a guard. But Thomas ended up falling to the final round and was finally selected 233rd overall by the Cowboys.
2024 was a year of massive turnover on Dallas’ offensive line. Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz left in free agency, prompting the Cowboys to spend two of their first three picks on Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe as replacements. Thomas had much lower expectations as a fellow rookie, but was a reported standout during training camp and pushed for a roster spot. A knee injury ended his bid and landed Thomas on IR for his entire first season.
Thomas returned last year and resumed course, earning his way onto the 53 as the swing tackle. He would start four games due to injuries for Guyton, but looked very much like a backup. Even with the bar set low by Guyton and Terence Steele for tackle play last season, Thomas wasn’t able to impress in his opportunities. But in ways, 2025 was his rookie season after the injury.
Contract Status
Years Left: 2
2026 Cap Hit: $1.03 million
Thomas has reached the halfway point of his original rookie contract, which is more than many seventh-round picks can say. If he’s able to perform as a viable swing tackle, it would be a bargain for Dallas at one of the more crucial, and often more expensive, backup roles.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup OT
Roster Chance: 95%
In a recent media session during Dallas’ spring camp, Brian Schottenheimer stated that Guyton and Thomas were competing to be the starting left tackle. We’d love to say this is a sign of how impressive Thomas has been, but it’s really an indictment of Guyton at this point. First- and seventh-rounders from the same draft class have no business being in the same conversation, especially in just their third year, but this is where Guyton’s issues have put us.
Granted, some feel this “competition” talk is more of a motivation tactic for Guyton than a true opportunity for Thomas. And in reality, if a starter falters, any backup is in position to move up. But Schottenheimer didn’t call out any other offensive lineman, even Terence Steele, so this isn’t meaningless. For good or bad reasons, Thomas is closer to a starting role than any other backup.
As such, Thomas’ roster spot feels almost guaranteed. Even if he’s not starting, Thomas is clearly ahead of Drew Shelton, Ajani Cornelius, or any other tackle for the swing job. And with his versatility as a guard prospect, job security is only enhanced. Even if he has a bad summer, Thomas feels like a roster lock. But with the additions of Shelton and Cornelius in the last two drafts, we have to at least consider the possibility that Thomas could get squeezed out.
If all three prove deserving of making the roster, Dallas would likely find a way to keep them. If T.J. Bass shows well as a center option, they could lean into that versatility and maybe only keep him and one other IOL backup while going longer at tackle. If Thomas or Cornelius can also play guard, that makes this even more feasible.
For now, Nate Thomas’ job is to put as much heat on Tyler Guyton as possible. Even if Guyton remains the starter, hopefully it means the Cowboys’ have a better, more polished swing tackle than last year. This is still just Year 3 for Thomas, and with a mostly missed rookie season to boot. There’s plenty of reason to think he’s going to be better than ever. If so, he could wind up being more than just a motivation ploy.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | LB Jaishawn Barham | C Cooper Beebe | G Tyler Booker | S Alijah Clark
OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker
OLB James Houston | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick
OLB Isaiah Land | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo
CB Devin Moore | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg
WR Anthony Smith | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | DT Jay Toia | OLB Tyrus Wheat
OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers
