Cowboys Experimenting with Offensive Line Versatility

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are at their best with an elite offensive line.

It's the "team within the team" as owner Jerry Jones likes to put it.

That may be an explanation why Dallas chose guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 pick in this year's NFL Draft. It's Jerry's bread and butter. A sweet spot.

But the room looks a lot different than it did for the past 10 seasons now that future Hall of Famer Zack Martin is off into retirement. Drafting Booker could've been looked at as a major need.

Booker joins an already young unit lead by fifth-year vet Terence Steele, Tyler Smith entering his fourth season, and second-year returners Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe.

The latter two were both emphasized in head coach Brian Schottenheimer's press conference Thursday before OTAs practice.

Guyton was praised for having a strong developmental offseason and Beebe was mentioned among multiple bodies the coaching staff is tinkering with in different O-line positions.

"He’s doing great. Again, we’re creating competition. He’s not taking all of the 1s," Schottenheimer said of Beebe, last year's starting center.

"We’re rolling different guys in there. Rob Jones, we’re moving Brock [Hoffman] around a lot. Moving Beebe around some.”

The Kansas State alum Beebe became a fan favorite after earning the starting job last offseason as a rookie. He came into the league with potential to play guard as well.

Now that potential is being experimented with as the Cowboys adjust under a new staff.

Smith's spot at guard is solidified as an All-Pro and Booker being a first-round talent would likely get the other spot. That keeps Beebe as expected to be fill the starting center role, but this hint shows that his versatility could be a key a differentiator for the unit.

If Guyton struggles again at tackle, this may allow Smith to move to the outside if the interior can be replenished accordingly.

But this flexibility allows the Cowboys staff to be confident in players playing multiple positions, which helps mid-game adjustments tremendously.

Jones has plenty of starting experience at guard from his days with the Miami Dolphins last season and Hoffman is another versatile player who brings experience at all interior spots; he was Beebe's primary backup center last season.

Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley have a lot to figure out in setting the offensive line. Using this time in preliminary practices to survey their options should be beneficial in the long run if they find a unit they like.

Worth noting: Beebe was coached by Riley at Kansas State for five seasons.

If there is anybody who knows what type of athlete Beebe is - and more importantly, how to use him - its Conor Riley.