It wasn't exactly what fans were hoping for when Tyler Booker was the Dallas Cowboys' first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers already snagged their dream pick, Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona, four picks earlier at No. 12 overall.
Booker has been a steadying presence up front during training camp, doing everything the Cowboys could hope for. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer even helped ease concerns by praising the pick and Booker. With Zack Martin’s retirement, Dallas had to fill a major void on the offensive line to fix last year’s messy run game.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys' initial top target has struggled early on. Joseph Person of The Athletic (subscription required) has said that McMillan is working to adjust to the physicality of the Panthers' cornerbacks.
Cowboys' Tyler Booker picker aging well as Tetairoa McMillan struggles early on
Of course, every rookie has their welcome-to-the-NFL moment early on, but Person writes that Bryce Young and McMillan are "still working on their timing in the passing game." He added that Carolina's defensive backs have pressed McMillan in coverage and how the former Arizona Wildcat is adjusting to the increased level of physicality.
Signs of improvement are showing for McMillan. As Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports, he admitted that the defensive backs were getting the better of him earlier in camp. Now, he’s starting to match their physicality. At 6-foot-4, McMillan has the tools to win one-on-one battles, and he’ll be tested early this season when he lines up against Jaguars rookie phenom Travis Hunter.
Even though Cowboys fans thought they missed out on McMillan, the correct pick was made by getting Booker. Jerry Jones also addressed the need for more depth at WR, which led him to stealing George Pickens away from Pittsburgh.
Pickens has been a star at training camp and hasn't missed a beat. We still have a whole season to judge, but the Cowboys made great additions by stealing away one of the most talented receivers in the league, as well as drafting their new right guard in Booker.
