Comparing Cowboys' 7th-rd pick to the 1st rounder, $18M starter he replaces

The Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle position has been a source of unrelenting scrutiny in recent seasons. From Tyron Smith’s constant uncertainty, to Tyler Guyton’s development, to Terence Steele’s recovery, the tackle spot has been a stress the Cowboys have been unable to shake.

The 2025 season has been no different for the Cowboys. While Smith has long been retired, Guyton’s development and availability have been regular topics of conversation, and Steele’s glory days have become more pipe dream than possibility. If there was one unexpected win coming from Dallas’ offensive tackle situation it’s been the sudden emergence of second year player Nate Thomas.

Thomas, a seventh-round pick out of Louisiana, jumped onto the scene in training camp this past summer. Despite redshirting his rookie year, he looked every bit the seasoned pro Dallas needed him to be to plug into swing tackle position in 2025. At 6-foot-4, 331-pounds, Thomas had the size to hold up at tackle, even if he didn’t have the length the two starters boasted.

As injuries arose throughout the 2025 season, Thomas faithfully served as Johnny-on-the-spot for the Cowboys, playing 199 offensive snaps and making two starts between the two ends. It’s led some to believe Thomas might have a future brighter than just swing tackle and he may actually be a starter in training.

As a 2024 first-round draft pick, Guyton’s spot is relatively secure for the foreseeable future. The Oklahoma tackle took a step in Year 2 and even grades as a plus level run blocker this season.

Steele, owner of Dallas’ second highest cap number in 2025, doesn’t enjoy that same security.

On the books for $18,150,000 in 2025 and the same in 2026, Steele is burdened with the expectations of his contract. Even if he presently grades 37 out of 80 among OTs this year, the ticket price is high for a player who barely scrapes average. If there’s a starting opportunity to be had for Thomas, it’s likely here at RT.

While optimism for Thomas’ development is warranted, one must make sure they aren’t getting ahead of their skis. Thomas is far from a finished product, and for that matter, far from an ideal starter at this point in his development. For as disappointing as Guyton and Steele are in their pass protection, (Guyton grades in bottom 10 and Steele in bottom 25 of 80), Thomas is worse.

Thomas may have only given up one sack in 2025, but he’s had the advantage of chips and double teams and he’s still allowed 11 pressures (per PFF). He’s basically a late-round draft pick with very little NFL experience who’s playing like a late-round draft pick with very little NFL experience. He’s a work in progress and in no way ideal at this moment in time.

Luckily for the Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott know how to work around these pass block deficiencies at the bookends. They’ve been able to minimize the damage through play design, pocket awareness and a quick trigger. But the point remains, the Cowboys are best with Guyton and Steele in the lineup.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: How reserve O-lineman Nate Thomas stacks up against other Cowboys’ OTs