Cowboys’ First-Round Pick: Tyler Booker
SportsDay’s columnists and Cowboys beat writers grade the Cowboys’ first-round pick of offensive lineman Tyler Booker from Alabama:
Related:How Tyler Booker ended up with the Cowboys, and the trade offer Dallas rejected
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 12th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(Jeff Roberson / AP)
The Pick: Tyler Booker
The Dallas Cowboys selected Alabama OG Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. This pick has been met with varying reactions from fans and analysts alike. Some see it as a solid choice, filling a need for the team, while others question the value of selecting an offensive lineman in the first round.
Columnist Reactions
Tim Cowlishaw
I don’t have anything bad to say about Tyler Booker because I don’t know anything bad about him. It’s just the Cowboys’ love for taking too many offensive linemen in the first round. That’s three Tylers in four years and six O-linemen in 15 years — 40% of their picks. They are usually good players, a couple were great, but they always leave the roster short elsewhere and they don’t win playoff games this way.
Grade: C
David Moore
Was the Cowboys choosing to use their first-round pick on an offensive lineman for the third time in the last four years a surprise to most outside of the organization? Sure. That doesn’t make it a bad pick. Dominant defensive tackles abound in the NFC East. Adding Booker to Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe on the interior of the Cowboys offensive line was an appropriate response.
Grade: B
Kevin Sherrington
Tyler Booker was the best guard in the draft and fills a need, but the 12th pick is a little rich for a guard, even if history shows the man he’s replacing, Zack Martin, was the 16th pick. Just the same, seems like the Cowboys could have traded back two or three spots, picked up a third and still gotten Booker.
Grade: B-minus
Calvin Watkins
Booker is a player who fills a need for the Cowboys and was high on their draft board. He was mainly a left guard in college but said moving to the right side won’t be a problem. If you want to say this is a safe pick, that would be fair, but in a lot of ways this is the correct pick for a team that seeks upgrades to their offensive line.
Grade: B
More on Tyler Booker
— Dallas Cowboys select Alabama OG Tyler Booker with 12th overall pick in 2025 NFL draft
— Who is Tyler Booker? Five things to know about the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round selection
— Tyler Booker wasn’t the sexiest pick, but he was the right one for Dallas Cowboys
— How Tyler Booker fits player profile Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer is looking for
— Cowboys’ Tyler Booker doesn’t have to be a Hall of Famer, just better than his draft peers
— National reaction to Cowboys’ No. 12 draft pick: Add another to the ‘Great Wall of Tyler’
— This Tyler Booker quote drew exciting reaction from new Cowboys teammate Micah Parsons
— Ex-Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says he loves Dallas’ first-round selection of Tyler Booker
— Listen: Tyler Booker gets the call from Cowboys after being drafted at 12th overall
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Conclusion
The selection of Tyler Booker by the Dallas Cowboys has sparked a range of reactions. While some see it as a necessary move to strengthen the team’s offensive line, others question the strategy of using a first-round pick on a position that, although important, may not directly lead to playoff success. As the season unfolds, the true value of this pick will become clearer, and fans will be watching closely to see how Booker performs and whether he can help the Cowboys achieve their goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Tyler Booker?
A: Tyler Booker is an American football offensive lineman who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He played college football at Alabama.
Q: Why did the Cowboys choose Tyler Booker?
A: The Cowboys chose Tyler Booker to fill a need on their offensive line. He was seen as one of the best guards in the draft and is expected to contribute to the team’s success.
Q: What are the reactions to the pick?
A: Reactions to the pick are mixed. Some analysts and fans see it as a solid choice that addresses a need, while others question the value of using a first-round pick on an offensive lineman.
Q: How does Tyler Booker fit into the Cowboys’ plans?
A: Tyler Booker is expected to be a part of the Cowboys’ offensive line, potentially playing alongside other notable linemen like Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe. His addition is seen as a way to strengthen the team’s offense and improve their overall performance.
