There was a lot of criticism of the selection of Tyler Booker by the Dallas Cowboys and almost none of it had to do with the player himself.
Taking a guard at pick No. 12 isn’t ideal from a positional value standpoint and with all of the needs Dallas had on defense, you can still argue that they should have gone in a different direction.
However, those conversations have quieted because of the way Booker has played this season. Not only has he been outstanding for a rookie, but he’s already establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top guards. And he has done so despite suffering an early-season ankle injury that has caused him to miss time. But there is no doubt that he is going to be a Pro Bowl player in the NFL sooner rather than later.
Tyler Booker might be the Cowboys' best offensive linemen right now
The Cowboys have one of the NFL’s youngest offensive lines, with four of their starters being 24 or younger. Tyler Smith entered the season as the unquestioned top player of the unit and rightfully so after two Pro Bowl seasons and a massive contract extension.
Smith has had a good year for the Cowboys, but a nagging knee injury has certainly hampered him. The good news for Dallas is that he’s looked much healthier over the last two weeks and is starting to get back to his Pro Bowl form. Having said all of that, Booker has been the best offensive lineman for the Cowboys this season.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they wrote about Booker’s performance against the Vikings and his performance this season. But one of the most telling numbers is that Booker is the team’s highest-graded offensive linemen through Week 14:
"Booker earned a respectable 67.5 PFF run-blocking grade in the Cowboys’ loss to the Vikings. His power and athleticism continue to be assets, and he ranks among the top 10 guards in PFF run-blocking grade since Week 8 (80.5). Booker is now Dallas’ highest-graded offensive lineman with three regular-season weeks remaining."
Booker is the highest-graded rookie interior offensive lineman and the second highest overall behind only Armand Membou of the New York Jets. PFF mentioned how he’s become of the league’s best run blockers, but he’s really improved as a pass-blocker, as well.
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Since Booker returned from his high-ankle injury (Week 7), he’s allowed just 14 total pressures and no sacks in eight games. And that’s after facing a murderers ' row of dominant defensive tackles, including Chris Jones, Jalen Carter, Zach Allen, Daron Payne, etc. Booker has allowed just three QB hits during that stretch and has become one of the most consistent players on the team.
So, who has been better between Booker and Smith this season? The numbers are very close, but they actually lean toward the rookie right guard. He’s been more consistent week to week, but luckily for the Cowboys, they don’t have to choose between the two. The hope is that Smith and Booker can be the long-term foundation of their offensive line for the next half-decade, and their physical play can help this team get back on track.
It usually takes guards a few years in the NFL before they can match the speed and power of their opponents. But the fact that Booker is having this much success right now bodes well for his long-term outlook in the league. And it sure feels like the Cowboys found their next All-Pro offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft.