The Dallas Cowboys are trying to recapture the magic they had during their dynasty run in the 1990s and what they had during the 2014-2018 run. They are trying to make the offensive line the nucleus of their team. This has proven to be a recipe for success in recent years, with most of the Super Bowl teams (Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, etc) in recent history boasting some of the NFL’s best offensive line groups.
With a renewed emphasis on running the ball, teams around the league not only want their linemen to be great pass protectors, but to be big road graders as well. Enter Tyler Booker from Alabama, a big mauling guard who showed in one preseason game he could be a force in the middle for Dallas.
Dallas is also doing something unconventional with what they have done to their offensive line room in the past. They are opting to go young at the position across the board. Among their five starting linemen, Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terence Steele, the average age is 24.2. Even if you add the rest of the group from the initial 53-man roster in Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Nathan Thomas, and Ajani Cornelius, the average age is still 24.4. The Cowboys did sign Hakeem Adeniji to the roster after moving players around on Wednesday, which brings the average age of the entire group to 24.8. They have now also added guard Trevor Keegan, who is in his second NFL season.
Outside of the 90s, the last time Dallas’ big men up front were considered the best in the NFL was in 2014 and 2016. Even with young players along the line, the average age of the starters was 24.8 and 26.6, respectively. This is close to what Dallas has today, but this is by far one of the youngest groups we have seen with the Cowboys at this position in a long time.
The recent departures of Zack Martin and Tyron Smith over the last few seasons alone significantly reduced the number, but Dallas has emphasized having at least a few veteran linemen on the game-day roster in case of emergencies or injuries. In 2023, when Tyler Smith missed the start of the season, Mike McCarthy and the staff turned to Chuma Edoga, who was in his fifth season. In 2022, ageless wonder Jason Peters, at 40, started in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Terence Steele was lost for the year with a knee injury.
As of right now, the Cowboys are going in the opposite direction with the uncertainty around Guyton and his status for Week 1. If he ends up missing Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thomas is slated to start right now in his place after taking first-team reps during training camp. The second-year tackle has yet to start an NFL game in his career.
Having youth at a position is a sign of inexperience, but it should not be considered a lack of talent. The young duo behind the starters, Hoffman and Bass, have started a combined 14 games with Dallas, and their continuity in the offensive system should not be overlooked. Beebe and Guyton got their fair share of bumps and bruises last year, but being thrust into a starting role immediately should have helped expedite their development heading into year two.
Brian Schottenheimer’s strategy of going with a youthful offensive line will face two significant tests right away, starting on opening night against the Philadelphia Eagles and continuing in Week 2 against the New York Giants, who have a revamped defensive line. Both teams boast some of the best defensive fronts in the league.
If Dallas can show physicality and athleticism against the reigning champs and start the season 2-0, the team could be in for a better season than expected. If everything falls apart and Dak Prescott is sacked two straight weeks, like he was against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, then Schottenheimer may need to reconsider the approach.
