FRISCO, Texas - After months of speculation, the Cowboys have finally made their pick 鈥 getting Tyler Booker in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft.
While the guard position might not be the most attractive to fans, it's a need pick because of what they lost in Zack Martin this offseason.
Here's what the staff writers had to say about the acquisition of Tyler Booker:
Tommy: I was of the opinion that the Cowboys would need to emphasize getting weapons to surround Dak Prescott at spots like wide receiver and running back. With Tetairoa McMillan off the table to the Panthers at 8, I think that changed things and they went about emphasizing protecting Prescott instead. And I don't think it's a bad strategy whatsoever. In a division with so much talent on the interior of the defensive line, keeping Prescott on his feet and creating lanes in the run game are two massive priorities and Booker's addition is a step in the right direction to establishing both. The biggest question for me going forward is, what's next? Do they target the skill positions on Day 2? Are those areas where a "substantive" trade can be made? There's a lot still left to be answered.
Kyle Youmans: It may not be the number one name on the list for media personnel and the armchair scouts at home, but it is apparent that the Cowboys got "their guy." With past first round picks, it was easy to see through the script and see how the team really feels. This year, Booker feels like a perfect fit. The character, the strength, the skillsets all line up with what Dallas wants to do on offense. It's a fit that only those in the building can truly anticipate, but I believe the more time fans have with Tyler Booker, the more they'll enjoy having him on the team.
Mickey Spagnola: While somewhat surprising the Cowboys would spend such a high pick in the first round, a 12th, on a guard, this though wasn't a consolation choice. This is a player they had targeted all along, and if indeed they are right when saying he is a replacement for future Hall of Famer the retiring Zack Martin 鈥 and that's a mouthful 鈥 then why not Booker. Protecting QB Dak Prescott is a necessity and if you can enhance that responsibility with the best guard in the draft, probably the country, while bringing in a top character guy like this Alabama team captain, then why not and will expound on this pick in my Friday column.
Patrik: Yes, Cowboys still need to address the WR and RB positions over the remainder of this year's draft, and they've got nine picks remaining to do so. And with Tetairoa McMillan and Ashton Jeanty both gone, I know exactly why they opted to drop a Bama Bully into the void created by the retirement of all-world right guard Zack Martin. I expect Tyler Booker's power and size to be a tremendous complement to Cooper Beebe and Tyler Smith on an interior that is instantly expected to excel in pass pro, and to be just as dominant in mauling to level up the run game. Because let's not pretend iOL wasn't a need as well.
Nick: You guys know that I love this pick. Not only did I put him in my 7-round mock draft, but wrote an entire column on the move on Thursday night. I think it's a great pick because it fills an immediate need. You didn't have to worry about Zack Martin for a decade and maybe a player like Booker is the same. When guards go this high, it's because they're special and this is what Booker appears to be. I do think McMillan might have been the pick if he was there but I like they went with Booker over Nolen and Stewart because he's someone who steps right in and starts from Day 1.
