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Brian Schottenheimer isn't sugar coating what drafting Tyler Booker means: Winners and losers from Cowboys' first-round pick
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys' pick at No. 12 overall is already sending a ripple effect through the team's roster. Tyler Booker was a dominant OL in college football and is already looking like a starter. 

That brings us to winners and losers after the team's first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with the player that might not even get a chance to truly compete with the rookie for the starting role. 

Let's dive in.

Loser: Brock Hoffman

It's a tough break for Hoffman, who did a great job filling in for an injured Zack Martin in 2024 but this is his reality. Neither Stephen Jones nor Brian Schottenheimer sugar coat it during the Cowboys' press conference following the first round. . . Booker is in line to start right away. 

"I don’t want to speak for Coach—he makes those decisions—but I can’t imagine he doesn’t walk in here on day one and start for us," said Jones.

Even more telling was Schottenheimer's quote:

"When we looked at him, we felt he’s an immediate starter—a guy who’s going to play for a long time at a very high level. He’s someone who can impose his will and impact not just the offensive line, but the team. When you meet the young man and you’re around him, you see the type of competitor he is, his personality. Again, when you lose a guy like (Zack Martin), you don’t replace him—but we felt like this is a guy who comes in immediately and fills a big void for us."

Though Schottenheimer acknowledged competition existed every day, he noted how Booker had started at every step of his career. It should be obvious to anyone paying attention but the Cowboys aren't even trying to hide it: The first-round rookie is starting right away. 

Winner: OC Klayton Adams

This is an easy one. The Cowboys offensive coordinator is a former offensive line coach and you can expect him to base his offensive philosophy on the position he holds closest to his heart. Getting another first-round talent at guard will surely excite the coach who comes from a very diverse rushing offense in Arizona.

Winner: Cooper Beebe

The second-year center will surely appreciate playing between Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker, assuming he stays at center while the other two stay at guard. Plus, adding Booker all but guarantees he'll stay at center and will avoid another position switch. 

Loser: CeeDee Lamb

Though it's true Lamb will indirectly benefit from an improved offensive line, picking a wide receiver would've provided more relief as the All-Pro receiver would've taken some heat off of his shoulders versus opposing defenses. We'll see if Day 2 brings a much-needed peer at receiver.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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