With three of their last four first-round picks spent on the front five, Thursday night in Philadelphia saw the Dallas Cowboys finally reap the reward of key investments via the NFL Draft. While a 24-20 loss wasn't the overall result the Cowboys wanted to open up the campaign, a new identity up front was established.
For years, the Cowboys’ offensive line was defined by stars like Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, and Tyron Smith. That group set the standard for dominance in the trenches and was a major reason Dallas consistently boasted one of the league’s top rushing attacks.
Fast forward to Thursday night and a new generation looks ready to carry that same torch - if not create its own legacy. This time, from the inside-out.
Cowboys finally have an interior offensive line to be excited about again
Tyler Smith, now entering his third year as a converted tackle out of Tulsa, has blossomed into more than just a promising first-round pick. His strength and balance at left guard were on full display against a Philadelphia front that prides itself on overwhelming interior blockers, and regardless of Jalen Carter's early ejection, Smith consistently generated movement in the run game, opening lanes and providing Dallas a physical tone early on. Still just 24 years old, he's already established himself as one of football's most dominant young forces along the interior.
Known during his days at Kansas State for his versatility up front, Cooper Beebe has quietly become a force to be reckoned with at the pivot spot. He played with poise -- picking up stunts and anchoring against the Eagles’ talented rotation up front. His ability to stay square and absorb power was vital in keeping Dak Prescott’s pocket clean all night, especially on key third-down throws. Dating back to Week 12 of last year, Beebe has now allowed just six pressures in his last 246 pass pro snaps.
Then there's Tyler Booker, the rookie out of Alabama, who prepped all offseason to face the likes of Carter and Jordan Davis. A msssive man that plays with violent intentions up front, he more than held his ground and showed flashes of dominance, making Dallas’ investment look like an early payoff. In his pro debut against the Eagles, Booker failed to allow a sack or a QB hit in 40 pass pro snaps.
What makes the trio so intriguing is not just their individual talent, but how quickly they’ve meshed as a unit. Offensive line play is about cohesion as much as it is about raw skill, and the communication between Smith, Beebe, and Booker looked polished beyond their collective experience.
The ripple effect was obvious. Prescott had time to survey and attack downfield. Javonte Williams scampered into the endzone twice before the game even got it's feet wet, and most importantly, the Cowboys didn’t flinch against one of the most disruptive fronts in all of football, regardless of Carter's absence.
In a game where physicality was going to decide the outcome, the Cowboys’ young core didn’t just hold their own -- they set a tone that should provide a platform to build on as the campaign progresses.
More Cowboys News and Analysis