Latest news with #ZackMartin
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Veteran with 21 contracts, just 16 games looks to continue improbable career with Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys used to have depth issues on the interior, but no more. Several years dedicated to improving the talent pool has gotten the club to the point they can actually withstand the retirement of a future Hall of Famer. Zack Martin won't be manning the right guard spot for the first time in over a decade, but the Cowboys quickly moved to ensure they had starting quality veteran depth, and then used their first-round pick on the role as well. The result? For the veterans who formerly were the backup depth, a longer road to making the 2025 roster. That group includes Dakoda Shepley, a journeyman who has been with the club for three years after spending time in several other NFL cities. Rundown Position: Offensive Guard Age: 31 (Week 1 age) Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 290 pounds Hometown: Windsor, Canada High School: Holy Names College: British Columbia (Film Study Video) Draft: 2018 UDFA Acquired: 2022 Practice Squad signing Contract: Two-year contract (2025), $2.3 million 2025 Base Salary: $1.1 million Career Earnings: $1.7 million (per Over The Cap) Profile Each time a player is released back to a practice squad, they have to sign a new contract. Shepley has signed 21 NFL contracts before the age of 31. That's five more contracts than games played. Originally a UDFA of the Jets, he's spent time with San Francisco (1 game), Seattle (8 games) and in between two different stretches with the Cowboys (7 games), Indianapolis. Shepley hasn't yet started a game in his career, and faces competition from Brock Hoffman, a teammate since 2022 who has started more games (9) than Shepley has appeared in. Also part of the challenge are the newly signed Robert Jones, Hakeem Adejini and Saahdiq Charles. All of those players have more starting experience than Hoffman, which crystalizes just how difficult it will be for Shepley to make the 2025 squad out of training camp. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys Headlines: Lamb, Pickens to be the NFL's most dangerous duo
The 2025 Cowboys feel like a team on the verge of something different. Not just because of the new faces, but because of the mindset shift that's been building since last season's disappointment. Zack Martin is gone, but Tyler Smith is stepping up. Dak Prescott is healthy, confident, and surrounded by the most explosive receiving duo he's ever had in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. There's a quiet urgency in the building, a sense that this group knows time isn't on their side, but the opportunity is. Training camp will bring clarity, but the early signs are hard to ignore. Lamb's locked in, Pickens is already turning heads, and Tyler Booker looks like he belongs in the trenches. Even with questions around Javonte Williams' role or how soon Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown can return, there's belief. The Cowboys aren't just trying to bounce back, they're trying to reset the tone. And if things click the way they're hoping, they just might. Cowboys' Receiver Duo Poised To Be NFL's No. 1 Deep-Ball Threat - Athlon Sports Link One key area that fans will be excited to watch closely is CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens lining up together in 2025; the Cowboys could end up boasting the NFL's most dangerous deep-ball duo. ESPN's Mina Kimes highlights how both receivers rank in the top five for deep catches over the last three seasons, calling them a 'nightmare' for defenses, especially against single-high coverage. Dak Prescott, who called their presence 'monumental,' has already been building chemistry with both through offseason work, including his annual QB-pass catcher retreat. With elite downfield threats and a fully healthy Prescott, Dallas' offense is primed to stretch defenses vertically like never before. How Nick Saban helped prepare Cowboys' Tyler Booker for NFL position switch - CBS Sports Link Tyler Booker's transition from Alabama to the NFL has been smoother than most thanks to Nick Saban's preparation, including reps at both guard spots early in his college career. The Cowboys' first-round pick is stepping in at right guard to succeed Zack Martin, and his passion for winning—fueled by missing out on a national title—has carried into his rookie year. Booker is leaning on fellow Cowboys lineman Tyler Smith, absorbing advice and staying coachable throughout the offseason. His competitive nature, even going viral for flattening a camper at his own youth camp, has earned him respect from teammates who see him as a relentless, NFL-ready presence. Expecations for Diggs & Overshown in 2025? - Link Expectations for Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown in 2025 are cautious due to both recovering from second surgeries on the same knee. Diggs is rehabbing away from team facilities and may begin training camp on the PUP list, with hopes he returns by midseason. Overshown is working with the Cowboys' staff and could return around October or Thanksgiving, but there's no set timeline. Given their injury history, any contributions from either player this season should be viewed as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Predicting Every NFL Team's Biggest Bust of the 2025 NFL Season - Bleacher Report Link Bleacher Report predicts Javonte Williams as the Cowboys' biggest potential bust for the 2025 season, citing concerns over his post-ACL explosiveness and a crowded backfield. Despite being penciled in as RB1, Williams is expected to split carries with Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn, and rookie Jaydon Blue. Dallas had the NFL's 30th-ranked rushing attack in 2024, and there's skepticism that Williams can be the answer. While his $3 million deal limits financial risk, fans and fantasy managers may want to temper expectations. Tyler Smith ready to be best version of himself as Cowboys prepare for 2025 season - Sports Illustrated Link With Zack Martin retiring after an 11-year Hall of Fame-caliber career, the Cowboys are turning the page to a new era on the offensive line. Pro Bowler Tyler Smith, now entering his fourth season, is stepping into a leadership role and embracing the challenge of becoming the anchor up front. At the OL Masterminds Summit, Smith emphasized his commitment to improving every part of his game and shared advice Martin once gave him: always be an ascending player. With young talent around him and a mindset rooted in growth, Smith is poised to lead the Cowboys' line into a promising 2025 season. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Have Young 'Building Block' For Brian Schottenheimer
Cowboys Have Young 'Building Block' For Brian Schottenheimer originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When Cooper Beebe won the Dallas Cowboys' starting center role from Brock Hoffman last offseason, many were unsure how the guard would transition to being "the" guy along the offensive line. Advertisement Well, he was just fine. In fact, he is better than fine as Beebe handled everything thrown at him with aplomb, and now, with Brian Schottenheimer as the leading voice behind what we think will be a run-first offense, Beebe is expected to continue his ascension as part of his new-look, youthful offensive line. As such, Bleacher Report has named Beebe as Dallas' promising building block. "As a rookie last year, Beebe earned the starting job," Bleacher Report writes. "All-Pro guard Zack Martin retired. So, Dallas has a young trio on the interior of its offensive line. Tyler Smith is an established two-time Pro Bowler who can also line up at left tackle if Tyler Guyton continues to struggle as a starter. Tyler Booker is a rookie first-rounder who has to showcase his potential this year. Beebe could be the all-important centerpiece of that triumvirate." Advertisement (Scott Galvin-Imagn Images) We don't have to look back too far to see the benefits of having a foundational center being at the top of their game and how it helps the offense run, with Travis Frederick the main one who comes to mind (recently), so too Tyler Biadasz. Is Cooper the next one in line? Yeah, we think so. What's thrilling about where the Dallas O-line can go here is that while Beebe is a fine pick ... did we mention that Smith is a young All-Pro? Did we mention that Booker projects to be right there with him? But as for the center? After being so calm and steady in his rookie season, handling the checks at the line of scrimmage with Dak Prescott and then Cooper Rush, Beebe showed he could be the heartbeat of the offensive line. Advertisement And when you are that, you can be a franchise building block, which is exactly what we think Cooper has the potential to be. Related: Dak 'Jeopardy' Prediction Exposed as Cowboys Haters Gone Wild Related: Cowboys Dak 'Worst QB' and 'Job In Jeopardy' Claims Hyperbolic Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rookie Tyler Booker's 'Legal Assault' Already Compares to Four Dallas Cowboys Legends
Rookie Tyler Booker's 'Legal Assault' Already Compares to Four Dallas Cowboys Legends originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys may have found their next standout O-lineman in Alabama's Tyler Booker who they selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement Booker's arrival comes at a pivotal time, as future Hall of Famer Zack Martin retired following the 2024 season—leaving a major void on the offensive line. And so far? Booker has been better than advertised after a strong summer of early offseason workouts. 'Despite the padless practices, Booker has impressed with his willingness to learn and work,' ESPN's Todd Archer wrote. 'He has been with the starters from the first OTA through the minicamp, so there's no pretense about what is expected. He is being viewed the same way the Cowboys have viewed Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Tyler Smith: as a Day 1 starter.' It should come as no surprise Booker is a plug and play starter after dominating collegiate competition. He stands 6-5, 321 pounds and plays the game with the type of nastiness and aggression that makes opposing defenders 'not love football anymore.' Advertisement His Draft time quote resonates ... 'I just love the aggressiveness and the tenacity of the game of football. It's legal assault out there,' Booker said. 'I love football. The brand of football I play, I make guys not love football anymore.' Booker is a natural leader and has shown an impressive willingness to continue learning the nuances of his position at the NFL level. 'Whether it's the responsibilities that (Booker) has to bring to the huddle or whether it's his communications on the line, he's doing a hell of a job,' quarterback Dak Prescott said. 'And you can tell this guy is a football player. Guy has a lot of pride standard in what he does.' Advertisement With his physical tools and winning mindset, Booker will be a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line for years to come. Related: Cowboys' Dak Prescott Given Shocking Ranking Among Top 10 Quarterbacks Related: Cowboys' Dez Bryant Issues All-In Super Bowl Prediction for NFC East This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys fortified OL with versatile, $3.7 million reclamation project
The Dallas Cowboys went about fixing things along their offensive line in the right way this past spring. Faced with a deteriorating group starting in 2024, they continued working on the position to ensure they would be able to better protect Dak Prescott. With the added stress from the retirement of future Hall of Famer Zack Martin, the team went about adding multiple players to find a solution to their needs. Prior to drafting Alabama's Tyler Booker, the team added three players in free agency; ERFA Brock Hoffman along with Saahdiq Charles and Hakeem Adeniji. Adejini is an intriguing addition as he has both inside and outside versatility, but like Charles missed all of 2024. While Charles walked away from the game presumably healthy, Adeniji missed the season due to a preseason knee injury suffered while with the Cleveland Browns. He now seeks to become a premiere backup for a reconstructed Cowboys OL. Rundown EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 21: Hakeem Adeniji #77 of the Cincinnati Bengals jogs toward the bench during the first half of a preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by) Position: Offensive Line Advertisement Age: 27 Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 315 pounds Hometown: Garland, TX High School: Garland College: Kansas (Video) Draft: 2020 Sixth-round pick (No. 180 Overall) Acquired: 2025 Free Agency Contract: One-year contract (2025), $1.1 million 2025 Base Salary: $1.17 million Career Earnings: $3.76 million (per Over The Cap) Profile Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji (74) is helped off the field during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 75 OL Hakeem Adeniji
