The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the new season with an offensive line that looks to be fully intact. With Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terence Steele locked into their starting roles, the primary unit is essentially set in stone and ready to provide some much-needed peace of mind for the backfield. It is a group that features some interior maulers bookended by high-variance tackles who collectively should offer the team a solid frontline.
Previously, we talked about
how rare it is to have the same five starters back together in back-to-back seasons, which is why it’s always important to have quality backups. Having the proper depth is the invisible necessity that keeps the kinetic energy of this offensive locomotive from coming off the rails. Bumps and bruises seem inevitable, so having the right kind of reserves goes a long way, and the Cowboys have a handful of talented players waiting in the wings. Today, we’ll run through this depth and gain a sense of what each one brings to the table.
T.J. Bass
The Lowdown – After joining the team as a coveted undrafted free agent in the 2023 cycle, Bass clawed his way onto the active roster through sheer grit and has since served as a reliable multi-positional interior presence with one more year of player control after signing his restricted free agent tender.
What he does well – Bass is a technician who wins with natural leverage. He is a sharp processor who can identify complex defensive stunts in an instant, and his ability to bend at the knees allows him to get under the pads of larger defenders to drive them off the line. He plays with a nasty finisher’s mentality and shows excellent coordination between his hands and feet, making him a dependable plug-and-play option at either guard spot, and he currently serves as the team’s backup center after the departure of Brock Hoffman.
What he needs to work on – His primary hurdles are a limited athletic ceiling and a tendency for his hands to drift wide during pass protection. He sometimes lacks the lateral movement to mirror elite speed rushers, which can lead to grabbing and holding penalties.
Nate Thomas
The Lowdown – Selected in the seventh round of the 2024 draft out of Louisiana, Thomas spent his first professional season navigating injury hurdles before emerging as the team’s swing tackle prospect. He is currently under contract for the next two seasons.
What he does well – Thomas is a physical specimen who uses his enormous frame and wingspan to act as a literal road grader in the run game. He possesses a powerful grip that allows him to steer defenders once he latches on, and he surprisingly has the athletic traits of a player picked much higher in the draft. His versatility allows him to provide a safety net at both left and right tackle, where he uses his mass to anchor effectively against power.
What he needs to work on – He remains quite raw in his pass protection sets, specifically regarding his footwork and overall balance. He has a habit of leaning or overextending his torso, which savvy defensive ends can exploit to knock him off his platform.
Ajani Cornelius
The Lowdown – Cornelius made his way to Dallas as a sixth-round selection in the 2025 draft following a decorated collegiate career at Oregon and currently provides the team with three more years of affordable team control as a developmental tackle.
What he does well – The calling card for Cornelius is his incredible durability and a vice-like grip that makes it nearly impossible for defenders to escape once he makes contact. He is a stout anchor who rarely gives up ground to a straight bull rush, and he excels at identifying blitzes before they arrive. His power on down blocks is particularly impressive, as he uses his natural bulk to seal off running lanes with ease.
What he needs to work on – He often struggles with his pad level, playing too upright, and allowing defenders to get into his chest. Additionally, his lateral recovery speed is a bit slow, which can make him vulnerable to sudden inside counter moves.
Drew Shelton
The Lowdown – A fourth-round pick this year, young Shelton started at both tackle positions for Penn State. He enters the league with a full four-year rookie contract ahead of him.
What he does well – Shelton is an elite mover who handles the edge with the fluidity and grace of a much smaller player. His pass set technique is remarkably clean, featuring independent hand usage and smooth footwork that allows him to mirror the quickest rushers in the league. He has a rare knack for recovering and reconnecting with his target, even if he is initially beaten, and his experience on both sides of the line makes him an ideal tactical asset.
What he needs to work on – He currently lacks the functional lower body strength required to consistently anchor against the league’s most powerful heavyweights. He also needs to improve his ability to sustain blocks in the run game, as he occasionally slides off his target due to a lack of core power.
Matt Hennessy
The Lowdown – A third-round selection in 2020, Hennessy played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys signed him in free agency this offseason to provide a veteran presence on the interior, currently operating on a one-year deal that keeps him under team control for the upcoming season.
What he does well – Hennessy is an incredibly athletic interior lineman who excels when asked to move in space or pull on perimeter run plays. He brings a little starting experience to the room, and his technique is fundamentally sound, particularly his hand placement and his ability to use his agility to reach difficult blocks on the second level. Additionally, his versatility to play both center and guard gives the team some added depth in the interior.
What he needs to work on – His biggest struggle is dealing with massive, power-based nose tackles who can overwhelm him with pure girth and bull rushes. He also has a history of lower-body injuries that have hampered his consistency and overall availability over the last few seasons.
Of the team’s 10 offensive linemen, only Hennessy is an outside free agent, showing that they are continually strengthening the trenches with homegrown talent.
The Cowboys have done an excellent job of stacking the fridge with plenty of depth along the offensive line using Day 3 draft picks and smart choices with priority free agents. It will be fascinating to watch how these younger players perform as they push one another in practice and potentially shuffle the hierarchy of the depth chart as the season progresses. There is a real sense of security knowing that the team is developing its own talent rather than scrambling for veteran leftovers. If these young protectors continue to grow, the offensive line could be a position of strength for the Cowboys this upcoming season.
