Latest news with #ZackMartin
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Tyler Booker In Prime Position For O-Line Superstardom
The Dallas Cowboys fortified its offensive line by drafting Alabama Crimson Tide offensive guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Booker fills an immediate need at right guard after future Hall of Fame inductee Zack Martin retired earlier in the offseason. And the positive vibes continue as according to analyst Marc Ross, Booker is one of the 10 rookies in the best position to succeed. Advertisement "The Cowboys have a history of finding elite offensive linemen in the draft, including eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith (2011), nine-time Pro Bowler Zack Martin (2014) and two-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith (2022)," Ross wrote. "Now they have added a pro-ready guard in Booker. He's a tough, nasty and technical building block for Dallas' front. The Cowboys offense is at its best when the big boys in the trenches are controlling the line of scrimmage. Booker can help it return to being a prolific unit in the run and pass games." The new look offensive line for the Cowboys will be young and powerful, no doubt. The starting unit will likely feature Tyler Guyton at left tackle, All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe at center, Booker at right guard, and Terrence Steele at right tackle. Advertisement Really, the maturation of second-year first-round pick Guyton is the biggest looming question mark. At the start of the 2025 season, Dallas will have four starting offensive lineman under the age of 25, with Terrence Steele being the 'elder statesman' at the current age of 27. Is there such a thing as an "O-line superstar''? Dallas can argue that Martin and another recent retiree Tyron Smith qualify. Those are monster-sized cleats to fill. So, for now? Booker will serve as yet another valuable investment in the backbone of every offense and Cowboys Nation certainly hopes he will not disappoint. Related: Cowboys Open NFL Schedule With 2 NFC East Games Before Chiefs Thanksgiving Visit
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Predicted To 'Flirt' With Playoffs
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will enter the 2025 season needing to prove many skeptics wrong about two things. His ability to stay healthy and his ability to lead his team to a deep playoff run. Advertisement And one can't happen without the other. After a hamstring injury ended his season in Week 9 last year, Prescott is on the comeback trail and will take part in training camp in Oxnard. Still, with the offseason the Cowboys have had, many doubt if Dak can lift this team up to the playoffs and beyond. But for CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin, he thinks Dak will bounce back in 2025. "It's bad enough that Prescott missed nine games -- roughly half the Dallas Cowboys' season -- in 2024," Benjamin writes. "The fact he's now missed extensive time in three of his last five seasons means there's even more pressure on the 31-year-old to stay upright. Still, with Tyler Booker plugged in up front and George Pickens now opposite CeeDee Lamb out wide, Prescott should have the support to flirt with the playoffs again. The real question is whether he can carve out the defining January run his resume still lacks." Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Zack Emmons-Imagn Images To put it in easy terms, when Dak is healthy for a full season, more often than not, Dallas makes the playoffs. Six times Prescott has played all regular-season games, and five times the Cowboys were playoff-bound. Advertisement So the recipe going forward is simple. Keep Dak healthy. With a revamped offensive line, another weapon in George Pickens to go with CeeDee Lamb, and a run game that will be better than last season, Dak won't have to be Superman anymore. And that won't put him in harm's way, and that should, in theory, allow him to stay healthy. And when he stays healthy, the Cowboys are a playoff team, and there's every reason to suggest Dallas will be just that in Dak stays out of the treatment room. Related: Cowboys Fans Saddened by Projection to Cut Loose Deuce Related: Cowboys Preseason Schedule Released with 2 Rare Rivals
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Make Official $21 Million Decision on 2-Time Pro Bowler
This offseason's retirements of legendary Dallas Cowboys linemen Zack Martin and Tyron Smith officially signal a passing of the torch to the next generation along the offensive line. That next generation is led by guard Tyler Smith. It is now officially his turn to lead the way with his immediate future solidified. Advertisement The Cowboys on Monday confirming the plan to pick up Smith's fifth-year option to keep him in Dallas through the 2026 season at a projected price tag of $21.27 million. And on Thursday - in conjunction with Dallas making another move on a gigantic guard named Tyler (Booker, the Cowboys first-round pick in the NFL Draft), that paperwork is done. A team source tells Mike Fisher that it's 'one of our easiest (decisions) ever.' For players drafted in 2022 like Smith, teams across the league have until May 1 to decide on picking up a player's fifth-year option. Smith, coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances and a Second Team All-Pro selection, has done plenty to warrant an extra year. Advertisement Smith will play the 2025 season, his fourth in the NFL, at a $2.5 million base salary, but will receive a fully-guaranteed sum in 2026. Once exercised, however, the fifth-year option does not stop teams from potentially agreeing on a more long-term extension - which in Dallas' case with Smith, should be the priority sometime next season. Since being the Cowboys' first-round pick in 2022, Smith has seen action at tackle and guard, but settled into the left guard position, opposite of Zack Martin for the last few seasons. He has been extremely durable in the process, making 47 total starts. At Tyron Smith's ceremonial press conference last week, the future Ring of Honor inductee gave Cowboys fans his thoughts on the state of the O-line moving forward. He emphasized his confidence in the returning players knowing what is required to be successful and that they are already working on putting in the work to get there. Tyron pointed out Tyler in particular, saying he has what it takes to become the next great lineman in this franchise's rich history. Advertisement "I feel like Tyler came in and set the standard that he wants to be great when he first got here and he has just increased in potential every work ethic and what he puts into this game... he has potential to be one of the greats and I just can't wait to see that show." Tyler Smith has already proven he is a foundational piece to the future of the Dallas Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones has recognized that, and is initiating the first steps in making sure Smith turns into the all-time great so many believe he can be. Related: Cowboys Top Draft Pick Tyler Booker Lashes Out At Critics Related: 'It's Not Over Yet!' Cowboys Declare Before Draft and New Trade Deadline
NBC Sports
25-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Tyler Booker understands the shoes he has to fill in replacing Zack Martin
In his first 23 years owning the Cowboys, Jerry Jones did not select an offensive lineman in the first round of any draft. Yet, the Cowboys had one of the best lines in football in the 1990s. Since selecting Tyron Smith ninth overall in 2011, the Cowboys have used six first-round picks, a second and a third for offensive lineman. Guard Tyler Booker became the third first-round pick the Cowboys have used on their offensive line in four drafts. Booker will replace Zack Martin, who the Cowboys used the 16th overall pick on in 2014. Martin retired as one of the top guards in NFL history, with nine Pro Bowls and seven All-Pros. He had only seven holding penalties in his career. Booker, the 12th overall pick, understands who he is replacing. 'I watched Zack Martin a lot growing up,' Booker said, via a transcript from the team. 'He's a Hall of Famer, but I think I would be doing me and the organization a disservice if I go in there trying to be Zack Martin. I'm going to be Tyler Booker every single day I'm in there and I'm going to learn parts of Zack Martin that made Zack Martin Zack Martin, made him so great. I'm going to add that to Tyler Booker. I'm not going to go in there trying to be Zack Martin. I'm going to go in there being Tyler Booker and learn from Zack Martin. That's my goal, and I'm super excited to build a relationship with him and learn from him.' Booker mostly played left guard at Alabama, but he will be the right guard with the Cowboys. The Cowboys converted Cooper Beebe from guard to center last season in his rookie season. 'It's easy for me,' Booker said. 'As my coach would say, it's sleepy, because you can do it in your sleep. That's what he would say. 'My freshman year, my rotation was the starters would get the first two series, and then I'll get two series. I would go through a series at right guard. So that's something I'm comfortable switching and not going to be a problem for me. I'm just going to get to work. Wherever you put me on a football field I'm going to be ready to get after it. I'm going to be ready to go. It doesn't matter if I'm at left guard, right guard, right tackle, center, slot receiver, running back. It don't matter. I'm going to give you my all.'
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Micah Parsons isn't happy with Dallas Cowboys' decision to draft offensive guard
Photo byDallas Cowboys fans had a lot of expectations for the 2025 NFL Draft. With the No. 12 pick, the team had a chance to make a big splash, maybe grab a wide receiver or another offensive weapon to give Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb more firepower. But when the Cowboys picked Tyler Booker, an offensive guard out of Alabama, it didn't exactly send shockwaves of excitement through Cowboys Nation. The pick, which was meant to replace future Hall of Famer Zack Martin, left some fans scratching their heads — and linebacker Micah Parsons didn't hide his frustration when he saw it go down. Micah Parsons' draft night reaction sparks debate among Dallas Cowboys fans As the host announced the Cowboys' selection — 'Tyler Booker, offensive lineman from Alabama' — Micah Parsons ' face said it all. His expression immediately dropped, and it was clear that this wasn't the pick he was hoping for. It wasn't just a mild reaction; it was an honest, guttural response that caught everyone's attention. Trying to cover up his disappointment, Parsons quickly followed up with, 'Hold on. I am excited about the pick. This guy is a beast. He is a beast. And I look at him and Tyler Smith, guard on guard with Zack Martin leaving. This is one of them picks. I mean, wow.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo But despite his words, it was obvious to anyone watching that Parsons wasn't feeling the excitement. The defensive star admitted, 'I just wanted to see that on my side of the ball.' That line was the giveaway. Micah wasn't upset about Booker specifically — he was just hoping the Cowboys would address the defense, which, let's face it, needs a little extra help. Parsons has been one of the bright spots on defense for the Cowboys, and maybe he was hoping the front office would do something to support his side of the ball, like drafting a pass rusher or linebacker who could help him get more sacks. Dallas Cowboys fans frustrated after passing on offensive playmakers in NFL draft Parsons wasn't alone in his disappointment. Cowboys fans, who were already eager to see the team add a playmaker to the offense, weren't thrilled either. With Dak Prescott's future on the line and a talented receiver in CeeDee Lamb, many thought Dallas would use this opportunity to grab someone who could make an immediate impact on that side of the ball. But instead, they went with an offensive lineman — not exactly the sexy pick fans were hoping for. Booker, for his part, is excited to join the Cowboys and try to fill the shoes of Zack Martin, who retired earlier this year after 11 seasons with the team. "I'm super excited. Blessed to be a Cowboy. Great tradition of great offensive linemen. I'm excited to follow all those who came before me," Booker said, already focused on making an impact in the trenches and protecting Dak Prescott. Will Tyler Booker be able to step into Zack Martin's role and deliver? It's clear that not everyone is on board with the pick. Micah Parsons wasn't shy about expressing his disappointment, and fans have made their voices heard loud and clear. But in the end, this is Jerry Jones' call. The Cowboys have made their decision, and now it's up to Tyler Booker to prove that he was the right choice to replace Zack Martin. Also Read: Cam Ward Drafted No. 1: Why the pressure Is now on TennesseeTitans coach Brian Callahan Regardless of Parsons' feelings about the pick, the Cowboys are clearly focused on strengthening their foundation for the future, particularly along the offensive line. If Booker can deliver and keep Dak Prescott safe, maybe the frustration will fade. But for now, the Cowboys' draft decision has left more than a few question marks in the air — and they're not just coming from the fans.
