FRISCO, Texas – When the Dallas Cowboys have been at their best over the last decade or so, their offensive line has been the reason why.
Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Tyler Smith were all first-round picks who made the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys view Tyron Smith and Martin as certain Hall of Famers. They compared Tyler Smith to another Hall of Famer, Larry Allen. Poor health led to Frederick's early retirement, but he was a multiple Pro Bowler.
But it wasn't just the first-round picks. La'el Collins, Ron Leary, Doug Free, Connor Williams, Connor McGovern and Tyler Biadasz, all selected after the first round, were key members of the ranks that led the way for NFL-leading rushers and Pro Bowl quarterbacks.
With the departure of Tyron Smith (New York Jets) and Biadasz (Washington Commanders) in free agency, the Cowboys had to retool their offensive line on the run, primarily through the draft.
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With the No. 24 pick, they were ready to take Duke center Graham Barton, but with 45 seconds left they agreed to a trade with the Detroit Lions that gave them the 29th and 73rd picks. Despite being asked to forgo drafting Barton, they managed to take Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma at No. 29 and lineman Cooper Beebe from Kansas State at No. 73.
In the seventh round, the Cowboys added a guard/tackle in Nate Thomas, but Guyton and Beebe will get a chance to earn starting spots.
“We didn’t even try to be conservative about our interest in offensive linemen,” said owner and general manager Jerry Jones. “This is the year to be interested in them because of the depth of the draft and we took advantage of that in every way with a great trade.”
The last time the Cowboys traded back and signed an offensive lineman in the first round was in 2013, when they made a deal with the San Francisco 49ers and took Frederick at No. 31.
Many scoffed at this choice. One draft expert had Frederick recommended as a sixth-round pick. He started every game he played, earned a Pro Bowl berth five times and was an All-Pro in 2016.
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Check out some of Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton's top highlights.
There are also questions about Guyton and Beebe.
Guyton only started 14 games in college, and all of those were at right tackle. He needs to move to left tackle. The Cowboys were quick to point out that Tyron Smith was a right tackle at USC before moving to left tackle in his second season in Dallas.
“To me there’s not much difference,” Guyton said. “I feel like it’s all about turning plays and turning techniques. I don't think it will be a difficult task. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Tyron Smith was a tackle Guyton studied often, and not just because he grew up a Cowboys fan.
“His technique is so sophisticated and he's one of the best to ever do it, and for good reason,” Guyton said of Smith. “His hand placement, his head placement, his meanness and his finishing in the run game are second to none.”
At Kansas State, Beebe played games at left tackle, left guard, right tackle and right guard, but none at center, although he did take snaps in practice. He had discussions with the Cowboys about playing center before the draft. Before the draft, he worked in that position with Duke Manyweather of OL Masterminds.
“Whatever they ask me to do, I will do it,” Beebe said.
Martin was a left tackle at Notre Dame but immediately moved to right guard. Tyler Smith started 23 games at left guard for Tulsa, but was set to play at left guard before Tyron Smith suffered a serious hamstring injury that required surgery. Tyler Smith started 16 of 17 games at left tackle as a rookie, but moved to left guard full-time last year and was named to the Pro Bowl.
“If they're athletic and have the work ethic that you need and are willing to learn, it's an opportunity to grow and improve,” said Will McClay, vice president of player personnel. “In college football, they don’t always play football like they do in the NFL. You have to be able to teach them something and they have to be able to do it.”
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“You have to want it and have the ability to do it. I think that's one of the things too. You have to be athletic enough and have the work ethic and the willingness and mental ability to do it. We feel that working with Guyton gives us the opportunity to do this.
Coach Mike McCarthy believes Beebe can do that at center.
“Everyone you talk to thinks it’s a given for him to go there and play full-time,” McCarthy said.
But McCarthy doesn't just like positional flexibility.
“This guy is a total inside football player,” McCarthy said. “The contact balance, the footwork. I can't remember another lineman in the draft putting as many defenders on the ground as Cooper. I just love his style of play.”
This is the third time the Cowboys have selected offensive linemen with two of their first three picks. In 1994, they defeated Allen and George Hegamin in the second and third rounds, respectively. In 2004, they took Jacob Rogers and Stephen Peterman in the second and third rounds, respectively, although neither played a snap in a regular season game for the Cowboys.
But Dallas, with its current scouting regime, has improved its success rate on offense, particularly in earlier rounds.
Beebe and Guyton hope to continue the legacy the Cowboys have had on offense for nearly a decade.
“They talk about Zack Martin and guys like that. I mean, they’re some of the best there’s ever been,” Beebe said. “You play with this dirty mindset. They will blow people off the ball and do the dirty work. I’m excited to join in and help improve the offensive line.”
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