After spending most of Friday with a bucket of popcorn, the Dallas Cowboys were back in the driver’s seat, ready to roll on Saturday, making their first of three selections in the fourth round. With the 112th overall pick, the front office decided to take their first offensive player by selecting Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton.
During his time with the Nittany Lions, Shelton proved to be a highly reliable presence on the edge. A two-year starter, he played the vast majority of his snaps
at left tackle while also logging valuable experience on the right side. He enters the professional ranks with an impressive history in pass protection, having allowed just a single sack in 345 pass blocking snaps.
When you look at his tape, it is easy to see what they loved about him. Shelton brings smooth footwork and fluid movement to the field, allowing him to mirror edge rushers effortlessly. He gets out of his stance quickly and has the mobility to get to the second level to secure blocks on linebackers, which offensive line coach Conor Riley will love. This combination of athletic traits will give the offensive staff a flexible blocker who can execute a variety of schemes.
He currently lacks elite functional strength and is not the type of player who will simply overpower defenders in the run game. He also has a tendency to telegraph his moves before the snap, which savvy NFL edge rushers could exploit. Fortunately, the Cowboys have plenty of established veteran talent ahead of him, allowing him time to refine his technique.
Shelton joins a unit that prioritizes depth up front, and he should fit perfectly into the mix. He will likely compete immediately for the swing tackle spot, giving the team a reliable insurance policy on both sides of the line. If he develops well and adds a bit more power to his frame, he could push for a starting spot in the near future.
This is a solid addition to the offense and a pick that carries great importance for the future of the offensive line. Adding a player with good pass-blocking chops in the middle rounds provides the roster with the youth and talent needed to sustain success. This front office just landed a mobile protector who is ready to make his mark, and Dallas fans have every reason to be absolutely thrilled about keeping Dak Prescott upright in 2026.
