Cowboys Roster Analysis Reveals 1 Massive Question Mark in 2025
Aside from the running back room one of the biggest question marks hanging over the Dallas Cowboys this season was their offensive line.
Having two rookie starters, Tyler Guyton at left tackle and Cooper Beebe at center, along with the up-and-down nature of Terence Steele's form, meant some were worried about its ability to protect Dak Prescott.
And those worries were confirmed as Dak was sacked 21 times in his eight games and in five of those, was sacked 3+ times. While there was some improvement down the stretch from the unit, there are some interesting decisions ahead for the Cowboys.
Let's get to the offensive line review.
Tyler Guyton - left tackle:
Switching from right tackle in college to left tackle in the NFL was always going to be a big transition and Guyton struggled throughout the year, with penalties his biggest bugaboo.
Flagged a monster 14 times puts Guyton as the second most penalized player in football this season. Guyton played 15 games, with just one start in what was a difficult year that did have some bright spots, but not enough for a first-rounder.
A big offseason is looming.
Tyler Smith - left guard:
A beacon of consistency as he earned his second Pro Bowl nod in three seasons. He was one of the only consistent performers along the offensive line because, of course right?
Of his 1,052 offensive snaps played, Smith allowed just two sacks, four quarterback hits, and only 22 pressures. Playing mostly at left guard, Tyler even stepped in at left tackle, playing 104 snaps as a blindside protector.
Outstanding yet again.
Cooper Beebe - center:
One of the bright spots for the line was Beebe's ability to take on all the center role entails with his communication and checks at the line, as he didn't miss a beat. Of course, it's easy when you have Tyler Smith and Zack Martin on either side of you.
Only three penalties and five quarterback hits were allowed, and Beebe's name was barely heard on the broadcasts.
The Cowboys have found Tyler Biadasz's replacement, and Cooper might even be an upgrade.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Zack Martin - right guard:
Just 10 games for the future Hall of Famer and only his second-ever season without a Pro Bowl nod. Injuries got the best of Zack this season, and he didn't play up to his ridiculous standards because of it
There was just one penalty and one quarterback hit allowed, but Martin had a down year compared to what we have become accustomed to and saw his season end due to injury.
Feels like the end for a franchise great. Who replaces him?
Terence Steele - right tackle:
Per PFF's John Owning, Steele gave up pressures for fun in the first 10 games of the season, 3.3 per game, which was the second-most by tackles.
But over the season's final seven games, he gave up just eight pressures, so there was improvement, however that does little to calm the fears over Steele being Dallas' right tackle in 2025 given he allowed nine sacks, which ranked him 136th out of 141 NFL tackles.
Has a $13.7 million salary and a $18.6 million cap hit in 2025, so Steele may be around in Dallas next season.
The backups:
Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass are the pick of the bunch. Both stepped in well during the latter half of the season due to injuries, and both had a role to play in Dallas' uptick in form toward the end of the year. More is expected of the pair in 2025.
Asim Richards (177 snaps) and Chuma Edoga (219 snaps) were part of the left tackle carousel but aren't seen as a pair that can make a real impact long-term despite showing some promise, and Matt Waletzko managed seven games and just nine snaps.
Final findings:
The offseason might be spent looking for Martin's successor, and it looms as a big offseason for Guyton to show that he isn't on the "bust" trajectory. There are still questions over Steele, but his late-season improvement is at least something.
Smith and Beebe were the standouts, but the offensive line, like a host of other areas this offseason, might need fortifying.
What's Trending
