Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys are facing early adversity along the offensive line heading into the 2025 NFL season.
With projected starting left tackle Tyler Guyton sidelined due to a leg injury, all eyes turn to Nathan Thomas, a second-year offensive lineman with developmental upside.
While Thomas wasn’t initially expected to contend for a starting role, the situation has now created a real opportunity for him to make an impact.
The Cowboys received a scare during training camp when Tyler Guyton went down with a knee injury.
Fortunately, it wasn’t an ACL tear, but a fracture that will keep him out 4 to 6 weeks.
This development puts his availability for Week 1 in doubt and forces the Cowboys to explore internal solutions at one of the most critical positions on the field: left tackle.
This creates a wide-open competition at training camp.
Backups Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko, and Hakeem Adeniji will all be considered. Asim Richards has experience at left tackle, while Waletzko and Adeniji are mostly seen as right tackles.
One name continues to gain traction: Nathan Thomas.
Drafted in the seventh round in 2024, Thomas came into the NFL as a raw but intriguing offensive line prospect.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, he boasts:
His college film showed a player with a real nose for the run game but raw technique in pass protection—something the Cowboys have been working to refine.
Under new offensive line coach Conor Riley, Thomas has shown signs of growth.
His physical tools and technique in the run game make him a fit in the Cowboys’ rushing attack. Key strengths include:
These traits make him a suitable fill-in for a power-run-heavy system, especially during the early part of the season when the team might lean more on the ground game as they work around offensive line injuries.
While Thomas brings plenty of upside, there are still areas of concern—especially in pass protection:
These limitations suggest that Thomas might be better suited at guard long-term. However, with Guyton’s injury opening the depth chart, Thomas could be trusted for a short-term role at left tackle, especially if the Cowboys emphasize the run game.
Conor Riley is known for...
