Cowboys drop major hint at 2024 starting offensive line at rookie minicamp

Oklahoma State v Kansas State
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Excitement surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is palpable following the NFL Draft. The Cowboys' strategy went off the beaten path, but they seemingly selected two starting offensive linemen with their first three picks in first-round choice Tyler Guyton and third-rounder Cooper Beebe.

The offensive line was a major concern after the Cowboys bafflingly let Tyron Smith leave for an incentive-laden deal with the Jets. Starting center Tyler Biadasz's departure was expected given the interest he was likely to command on the open market, but it still left Dallas in dire straits.

Lo and behold, the Cowboys may have replaced both players. They took Guyton No. 29 overall after moving down in a trade with the Lions. Already a fleece, they used the extra third-round pick on Beebe with the No. 73 pick. Many draft experts had Beebe as a top-50 player.

It'll be interesting to see Dallas' starting five come Week 1. If rookie minicamp was any indication, it'll be the best-case scenario, as Guyton took all of his reps at left tackle while Beebe commanded the offense at center.

Cowboys' Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe poised to start as rookies

That is a beautiful sight for Cowboys Nation.

Guyton knows he has massive shoes to fill in Tyron Smith's wake. A right tackle at Oklahoma, Guyton rented a local Airbnb days after the draft to train with offensive line mastermind Duke Manyweather ahead of rookie minicamp.

That hunger and self-awareness is rare for first-year players. On top of having all the athletic traits to succeed at left tackle, it seems Guyton has all of the off-field intangibles to navigate the ups and downs of being a developing tackle in the league.

Meanwhile, Beebe already has the upper hand in the center competition. Expected to compete with 2023 undrafted free agent and fan favorite Brock Hoffman, Beebe was instructed by Cowboys offensive line coach Mike Solari immediately after the draft to get comfortable at center.

"Beebe has made it clear in his first few days at The Star that he has the discipline, approach and football IQ to make this work," the Dallas Morning News staff said of Beebe. "He’s been immersing himself in film study, learning the playbook and finding a way to get as many snaps as he can."

It's obviously early, but Guyton and Beebe have made strong initial impressions on the Cowboys coaching staff and team reporters. If rookie minicamp is any indication, the 2024 starting OL will look as follows: Tyler Guyton (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Cooper Beebe (C), Zack Martin (RG), Terence Steele (RT).

If that doesn't get you excited, what are you doing?

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