The Dallas Cowboys could take a wide variety of routes in the 2025 NFL Draft for all kinds of reasons; They own a Top 15 pick, meaning there will be top-tier talent available when they go on the clock in the first round, they have many pressing holes on their roster, and owning another pick in the top 50 could make them more flexible than in other years.
Recently, the Cowboys have been understandably expected to pick a running back or wide receiver with the No. 12 overall pick. However, if there’s one thing we know about this front office is they are more than willing to invest first-round capital in offensive line.
That’s important to keep in mind when reading A to Z Sports’ draft expert Destin Adams’ most recent NFL Mock Draft.
In it, he has the Cowboys passing on wide receiver even though Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the only one off the board. With Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden, Matthew Golden, and Emeka Egbuka still available for the taking, Adams predicts the Cowboys to go offensive line.
With so many mocks giving the Cowboys an offensive weapon this year, it can be considered an unpopular route. However, knowing how Dallas operates, it would be far from a surprise.
Even though fans would be somewhat disappointed, Dallas could be thinking about the long run if they take this approach. Below is Adams’ breakdown of the pick:
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Its nearly impossible to replace a future Hall of Famer, but that’s the task in front of the Cowboys with Zack Martin retiring. Luckily for them, Alabama guard Tyler Booker is a perfect fit for them to target at pick 12. Booker’s tape is arguably better than any offensive linemen in the class, but he doesn’t have the flexibility to play tackle, so he will probably not be the first off the board. Booker would be an immediate starter for Dallas, and I think he would soften the blow of losing Martin for their offense in 2025.
– Destin Adams.
Obviously, the Cowboys appear comfortable with Brock Hoffman as Zack Martin’s replacement. But if they view Booker as a major upgrade, I don’t believe Will McClay and Co. would hesitate. Dallas’ offensive line is miles away from being close to that elite unit they had in 2014 and 2016.
With Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe in place, adding someone like Booker could be the start of a special room for years to come. If Tyler Guyton makes a second-year jump, that would only put them further along.
Tyler Booker player evaluation
For those wanting to learn more about Booker in case he indeed becomes a Cowboy next month, our very own AJ Schulte has you covered with his full scouting report. Below is the overview:
Booker is an incredibly easy evaluation in this 2025 NFL Draft class. What you see is what you get with him, and fortunately, it’s easy to see why he’s such a highly-rated prospect. A rock given sentience, Booker is an immovable force in the middle and pops open run lanes with ease.
He is the best true guard in this draft class and should be selected fairly early on come April.
– AJ Schulte