Following the conclusion of the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys fans were quick to point out that the wide receiving depth was still in dire need of help. With the Carolina Panthers picking Tetairoa McMillan as the eighth overall pick, people were quick to point out that Dallas needed to improvise after McMillan was already taken.
With Ashton Jeanty taken even earlier by the Las Vegas Raiders, it appeared a long shot for Dallas anyway, but they decided to address the issue of replacing Zack Martin as soon as possible. This led to Tyler Booker being picked as the Cowboys' first-round pick. While the Booker pick had many folks scratching their heads, many have also been quick to point out that this was a home run pick for Dallas.
One of those people is Booker's former college coach, Kalen DeBoer. Even though Booker played only one year under the new look Alabama team, DeBoer had some strong positive words that will put a smile on the face of every Cowboy fan.
Kalen DeBoer says it's difficult to 'replace' Cowboys' Tyler Booker
In an interview with CBS Sports, DeBoer was asked about how you regroup the offensive line without Booker. While still giving the upmost respect to his offensive linemen, he gave Booker a compliment that he couldn't give to anyone else on his team.
"You don't just replace Tyler Booker with someone else... They aren't gonna be Book, because no one can do that. But they can do it in their own way." @AlabamaFTBL head coach Kalen DeBoer on the Bama O-Line | @JoshPateCFB pic.twitter.com/sR4UWoTiAz
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) May 2, 2025
"(The new offensive line) aren't going to be Book, because no one can do that, the way he is and how he did it, but they can do it in their own way," DeBoer said.
He credited Booker for his work ethic on the field and also for gaining respect amongst his Alabama teammates. This is high praise from DeBoer by calling Booker a guy that you simply cannot just replace.
The Cowboys still have depth to add to their offense. In particular, they need to give CeeDee Lamb some help after the New Orleans Saints snatched away Brandin Cooks. While it looks like an Amari Cooper reunion is possible, there have been plenty of athletes and coaches praising the Booker pick, and it's refreshing to see Booker's former coach speak extremely highly of him.