With the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys made a bold move to reinforce their offensive line by selecting Alabama G Tyler Booker.
While this pick helps address a major need following the retirement of Zack Martin, many fans and analysts were surprised that Dallas passed on more dynamic playmakers and high-upside defenders still on the board.
The Cowboys have a solid reputation for drafting offensive linemen in the first round who go on to become perennial All-Pro players.
While I don’t doubt the fact that Booker could be the next player to follow in the same footsteps, the Cowboys’ offense lacks playmakers outside of WR CeeDee Lamb.
Let’s explore the four major names the Cowboys bypassed, each of whom could have significantly impacted Dallas’ future.
WR Matthew Golden
Texas standout Matthew Golden, taken 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers, was still available when the Cowboys were on the clock.
Known for his elite speed and crisp route-running, Golden could have brought much-needed juice to a Cowboys receiving corps that lacked explosiveness behind CeeDee Lamb.
Golden tallied over 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his final college season, consistently torching defenses deep and showing the ability to create separation at all levels of the field.
His big-play ability would have complemented Lamb perfectly and given Dak Prescott a vertical weapon to stretch the field.
While Booker strengthens the trenches, many wonder if the Cowboys missed a chance to add a game-breaker.
WR Emeka Egbuka
Another offensive weapon the Cowboys could have selected was WR Emeka Egbuka, who went 19th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Egbuka was once projected as a top-10 pick before injuries slowed his final season at Ohio State, but his skill set remains among the most refined in the class.
Egbuka thrives in the slot, where his quickness, vision, and route precision allow him to exploit mismatches against linebackers and nickel corners.
He’s a dependable target with great hands, offering high third-down conversion potential and red-zone reliability.
The Cowboys, who struggled with short-yardage conversions and consistency over the middle, might regret passing up a pro-ready receiver with Egbuka’s toolbox.
DT Walter Nolen
Defense wins championships, and Walter Nolen could have been a centerpiece on that side of the ball.
The former Texas A&M defensive tackle was picked 16th overall by the Arizona Cardinals and was considered one of the most physically dominant linemen in the draft.
Nolen brings a rare combination of strength and athleticism, routinely collapsing pockets and plugging run lanes.
The Cowboys’ run defense has been suspect in recent years, and a player like Nolen could have solidified the interior front alongside EDGE Micah Parsons and DT Osa Odighizuwa.
Passing on a player with such an impactful presence in the trenches on the defensive side raises questions about long-term balance on the roster.
LB Jalon Walker
Another defensive prospect still on the board was Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, who went three picks later at 15 to the Falcons.
Walker offers the kind of versatility that fits today’s NFL; able to rush the passer, drop into coverage, and make sideline-to-sideline plays.
The Cowboys are thin at linebacker behind Marist Liufau and an injured DeMarvion Overshown, and adding a hybrid playmaker like Walker could have given DC Matt Eberflus more flexibility.
Walker’s ability to line up in various roles would have provided immediate depth and long-term upside in a defense looking to become more dynamic.
On to Day 2
The selection of Tyler Booker may ultimately pay off if he becomes a long-term anchor on the offensive line, especially given the importance of protecting Dak Prescott and opening running lanes.
However, with proven talent and game-changers like Golden, Egbuka, Nolen, and Walker still on the board, the Cowboys passed on flash and playmaking potential in favor of a safe, steady pick.
Only time will tell if Booker becomes the next Zack Martin or if Dallas missed a chance to add a true difference-maker elsewhere on the field.
The Cowboys braintrust, and I use the term loosely, wasted another draft pick when they already have so many OL’s already onboard.
Like you mentioned, they needed another offensive playmaker like a WR2, RB1 or even another TE. I don’t see Schoonmaker making a big jump, and Jake Ferguson is entering the final year of his contract, which we all know JJ is too chintzy to extend. Just look at the ongoing Micah Parsons contract saga. A deal still hasn’t happened.
I’m guessing they have total faith with the current WR, RB and TE rooms that they feel they didn’t need to address it.
I’ve been a loyal fan for over five-decades. My loyalty is truly being tested by the Joneses.
Jerry has had 30 years to run the team and what have we gotten? NOTHING! That is why he refuses to answer any questions about him being in charge because he knows that he has done a TERRIBLE job. Just saying! I have been a cowboy fan for 50 years started at the Cotton Bowl and now this wretched mess, now just a fan of good football, since we do not get that anymore. Wish this was a well-run franchise that was proactive not reactive, but all things change. All he cares about is the value of the team increasing, is driving the cowboys to irrelevance. Great job Jerry!! Please sell and let someone who can do the job correctly take over.
Well since no one seems to think Dak can be an effective qb, and since a lot of that falls on a pathetic OL for several years, picking a WR won’t help much if your qb is flat on his back or running for his life. If you can’t run or pass then you need a dominant Oline first.
The Cowboys had an OL prior to the draft that could get the job done.
What they didn’t have last year and still don’t have today is an RB1 nor a WR2 to free up Lamb and move the sticks on 3rd down to keep the drive going.
Oline cant hold them off forever if dak has nobody to give the ball to. This is why they need a strong rb or 2 and another wr. One wr and weak rb, who will be double if not triple teamed?
Rumor is Cowboys trade for Jet’s Hall. That would obviously eliminate the need to draft RB, and concentrate on WR, DT.
Would love Kaleb Johnson, if not a WR.
Jerry Jones’s is doing everything in his power to turn fans away! Insanity, if you do what you’ve always done you get what you’ve always got, expecting different results. How long since a Super Bowl? I’m about to Titan up!!!