The Dallas Cowboys hope to have found Zack Martin’s replacement on the offensive line, drafting Tyler Booker, a guard from Alabama, in the first round of Thursday’s NFL Draft.

After the rumors suggested the Dallas Cowboys could go running back or wide receiver, or even trade back in the first round, the Cowboys felt good about drafting Tyler Booker.

The Dallas Cowboys lost Zack Martin, a future Hall of Famer, to retirement this offseason. Martin was a first-round selection back in 2014 and was a first-team All-Pro seven times in his career. Replacing Martin was a huge priority for the Cowboys this offseason.

The Cowboys are no strangers to selecting offensive linemen in the first round and have had great success doing so.

• Tyron Smith (2011)
• Travis Frederick (2013)
• Zack Martin (2014)
• Tyler Smith (2022)
• Tyler Guyton (2024)

Among those offensive linemen, there are a combined 24 Pro Bowls and 10 first-team All-Pro selections.

Tyler Booker was slated to go as early as the middle of the first round, or even early in the second round, in several mock drafts. Booker was a first-team All-American this past year for Alabama and was nominated twice to the All-SEC team

Booker is most known for his help in the run game, and Brian Schottenheimer wants to run the ball with the Cowboys, so this selection fits his mission. Running the ball will open up play-action opportunities for Dak Prescott and the passing game, something Schottenheimer mentioned he wanted to emphasize.

Booker is also very agile and was the highest-rated guard in this class. For the Cowboys, Booker’s upside to pull in the run game will help him be a Day 1 starter.

As it projects right now, the Cowboys will have three Tylers on the offensive line. Booker joins Tyler Guyton at left tackle and Tyler Smith at left guard. Booker will be the favorite to start at right guard, with center Cooper Beebe and right tackle Terence Steele on either side.

The Cowboys did not have a chance at Ashton Jeanty (the 6th overall selection to the Raiders) or Tetairoa McMillian (the 8th overall selection to the Panthers), but passed on the likes of receiver Matthew Golden and defensive linemen Walter Nolen to upgrade the offensive line.

Did you like the pick by the Dallas Cowboys? Let us know in the comments below.