Cowboys’ 16-Game Starter Called ‘Building Block’ for Offensive Line

“Over the past several years, the Dallas Cowboys have seen multiple starters at center, a once-stable position when Travis Frederick lined up in that spot,” Moton wrote on July 5. “Following a few years with Joe Looney and Tyler Biadasz, Cooper Beebe has shown signs he can be the long-term starter in the middle of the offensive line.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Beebe, 6-foot-4 and 335 pounds, ranked 20th out of 64 eligible NFL centers in 2024 with a 65.4 overall grade. He was also one of 3 rookie centers who seem like they could be around for awhile alongside Pittsburgh’s Zach Frazier and Tampa Bay’s Graham Barton.

One Of Big 12’s Greatest OL Of All Time

Beebe left Kansas State as one of the greatest offensive linemen in Big 12 history. Playing guard, he was a 3-time All-Big 12 pick, 2-time All-American and 2-time Big 12 Offensive Linemen of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

At the NFL scouting combine, Beebe ran the 40-yard dash in 5.03 seconds — essentially blazing speed for a man of his size.

“Wide-bodied guard who has been a model of consistency over the last four years, dialing in a very firm brand of football,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. ” … Beebe’s experience, girth and drive-blocking talent should make him a long-time starter who can step in right away.”

The Cowboys took Beebe in the third round (No. 73 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft and signed him to a 4-year, $5.93 million contract — the same year they took offensive tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round (No. 29 overall).

Cowboys Just Can’t Have Nice Things

While we all love offensive linemen, taking them in the first round in 3 of the last 4 years isn’t indicative of any sort of strategy we can decipher. You have to spread it around. The Cowboys have not.

Drafting 2-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith in 2022 can’t be questioned. Drafting Tyler Booker at No. 12 overall in the first round in 2025 filled a need after guard Zack Martin retired. It’s not clear why the Cowboys felt the need to draft an offensive lineman in the first round in 2024. Maybe it’s just a lazy scouting department.

The Guyton pick is especially underlined after he seemed lost as a rookie and, within the next 10 picks, Super Bowl hero Cooper DeJean, wide receiver Ladd McConkey (1,149 receiving yards) and interior defensive lineman Braden Fiske (8.5 sacks) all came off the board and all went on to star for their respective teams as rookies.