Dallas Cowboys right guard Tyler Booker has been saying and doing all the right things since arriving at The Star as Brian Schottenheimer’s first-ever draft pick.

The former Alabama stud comes to Dallas looking to try to fill the hole left by future Hall of Famer Zack Martin, as part of Dak Prescott’s protection. But that won’t be an easy task.

Life as a rookie is tough, and it is a steep learning curve from college, which is why it is important to lean on the veterans in the room to help guide them.

And Booker, that has been the offensive line’s “new” leader in Tyler Smith.

“I’ve been watching Tyler Smith a lot, just even going back to last year and the year before that watching some of his games,” Booker said. “Seeing how he could progress from his rookie year to last year, he’s just progressed a lot. So I’m just always asking him questions, being an annoying little rookie, that’s the only way I’m going to get better. I appreciate him for leading me and guiding me through this whole process.”

You couldn’t find a better mentor than Smith in the offensive line room, but Booker also made sure to point out others in Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Brock Hoffman, and Cooper Beebe have all helped him at one point this offseason.

It is a collective here in Dallas, and this new-look offensive line room will be tasked with being the tone-setters for Schottenheimer’s offense. Boasting three first-round picks now, the offensive line has some serious talent, and that needs to translate onto the field.

Booker has been taking the majority of first-team reps at OTAs and minicamp, with Schotty and the coaching staff not playing around – Booker is the Week 1 starter, barring something unforeseen.

And to get him ready for that, he’s leaned heavily on Smith, being the “annoying little rookie” as he looks set to begin his NFL career with a bang.