Offensively, the Cowboys have everything you could ask for at the skill positions. Two elite receivers, an upper-echelon quarterback, a borderline Pro Bowl running back, and a multi-Pro Bowler at tight end. When you look at that, the Cowboys have an embarrassment of riches. Yet, when you examine the offensive line, it’s not as star-studded. The offensive tackles have occasionally hampered the offense with breakdowns in pass protection, especially a first-round pick who is expected to perform better
than he has. That said, the interior is very good and a strength of the team. Here’s where the offensive line group stands as of now.
Offensive tackle
Tyler Guyton
The Cowboys are hoping that year three is when everything clicks for Tyler Guyton. Even when the Cowboys drafted him in 2024, it was expected that he was going to be a bit of a project. Although he’s got tremendous size and above average athleticism for an offensive tackle, he’s still struggling with his technique and consistency. Per PFF, Guyton allowed 31 quarterback pressures last year and was ranked 81st out of 89 qualified offensive tackles.
That simply isn’t going to cut it, especially with being entrusted to protect the blindside of Dak Prescott. Guyton battled with injuries throughout last season, but the team made it clear that if he did return from injury toward the end of the season, he would be benched in favor of Tyler Smith, who finished the year at left tackle. Guyton faces a critical year in his development. If he can’t improve it’s hard to see much confidence in him heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
Terence Steele
Offensive tackle seems to be a troublesome theme for the Cowboys. Terence Steele is also experiencing problems with his pass protection, which tends to hamstring the offense at the most inopportune times. Steele allowed 52 quarterback pressures last year, and that’s been a trend over the last three seasons. Over the last three years, Steele has given up 147 quarterback pressures in that span. Steele did accept a pay cut, but it will offer him guaranteed money, so the team does still want to see things work out with him, albeit at a lower price. The good thing is, Steele is a pretty solid run blocker, which certainly adds value for Brian Schottenheimer’s approach. If Steele can just be passable as a pass blocker, it’s a vast improvement for the offensive line as a whole.
Nate Thomas
Thomas went mostly unseen in his rookie season as he was placed on injured reserve and didn’t appear in any regular season games. Last season, he got a lot more playing time as he stepped in for a time in place of Guyton. Thomas also had his struggles in pass protection, and his inexperience at the professional level really stood out. That said, Thomas had a great showing on Thanksgiving against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have excellent pass rushers. Thomas will fit in as the team’s swing tackle, filling in at either tackle position.
Guard
Tyler Booker
Entering the league, Tyler Booker had big shoes to fill, taking over for Zack Martin. Martin is one of the most decorated Cowboys in the history of the franchise and is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Therefore, Booker stepping into that spot at right guard carried a lot of pressure. However, so far Booker has done pretty well. He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. Booker came to Dallas with a pedigree as an exceptional run blocker, and that held true as a rookie. He was was among one of the best run blocking guards in the NFL last season. He does have some improvement to make in pass protection, but he rounds out what is a very imposing interior for the Cowboys. He likely could be the next great Cowboys offensive lineman.
Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith is one of the truly elite offensive guards in the game. Having played left tackle in his rookie season, he has transitioned seamlessly to left guard. He’s a road grader in the trenches and has the athleticism to play on the move. Early in his career, he struggled with penalties, having 19 in his first two seasons. Yet, over the next two, he’s only committed 11. So far, he’s putting together a great résumé to start his career. He was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl last season. The Cowboys are paying him big money to man the left guard spot, and he’s earning every cent.
T.J. Bass
Despite not playing much, T.J. Bass has shown himself to be one of the most integral depth pieces for the Cowboys. In college, Bass played offensive tackle and guard, but has since settled into guard since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023. As a rookie, he dressed for all 17 games and managed to start two games. Since then, he’s managed to stick around on the roster and has started eight games over the last two seasons. Bass raised some eyebrows when it was he who was given the second-round tender and not Brock Hoffman, but Bass has been a good fill-in for when his number is called.
Center
Cooper Beebe
Having never played the position in college, the Cowboys zeroed in on Beebe as their man at center and started 16 of 17 games as a rookie, and he’s proven them right. He’s looked like a seasoned veteran in that spot over the last two seasons. He’s got a thick build and is very strong at the point of attack to open holes in the running game. He has missed games due to injuries, having missed six games last season because of a high-ankle sprain. His college coach, Conor Riley, joined the Cowboys last season as offensive line coach, which should help keep everything more consistent for the third-year player. Beebe is primed to be a fixture of the team for years to come.
Matt Hennessy
Dallas deciding not to tender Brock Hoffman would’ve left a hole if they didn’t find a suitable replacement. Wisely, the Cowboys picked up veteran interior offensive lineman Matt Hennessy. Hennessy comes to Dallas with plenty of experience, having played in 64 games and started in 24 of them. Hennessy can play either guard or center. Should Beebe miss any time, Hennessy should be able to step right in and prevent a steep drop off.
Others
G Trevor Keegan
T Ajani Cornelius
T Marcellus Johnson
