Breaking Down the Cowboys’ Offensive Line Ahead of Detroit: Who’s Holding the Fort and Who’s Making the Push
As the Cowboys prepare to square off with the Lions, all eyes might be on Dak Prescott and the skill guys-but make no mistake, this game will be won or lost in the trenches. With injuries shifting the lineup and Detroit’s defense bringing pressure without much payoff, Dallas’ offensive line becomes the focal point. Let’s take a position-by-position look at how the front five are holding up and what to expect as they take on a Lions front that’s disruptive but still searching for consistency.
Left Tackle: Nathan Thomas
2025 Stats:
199 total snaps | 129 pass blocks | 11 pressures | 2 QB hits | 1 sack allowed | 2 penalties
Nathan Thomas steps into a crucial role this week, filling in for the injured Tyler Guyton. His job? Make the left side of the line as uneventful as possible-something far easier said than done when Aidan Hutchinson is lurking across the line.
The numbers show Thomas has been more than just a body in the lineup. In 199 snaps this year-mostly at left tackle-he’s allowed just one sack and committed two penalties.
That’s a solid return for a second-year seventh-round pick, and the coaching staff has taken notice. He held his own in a tough spot start against Kansas City, especially in true pass sets where protection schemes are stripped down and linemen are exposed.
Now he faces a Detroit defense that’s been generating pressure at a high clip lately (38.7% over the last four games), but hasn’t been finishing. Just four sacks in that span tells the story-plenty of disruption, not enough damage.
That’s a window for Thomas to capitalize on. If he can stay square through the first 2.5 seconds of the play, Detroit’s rush often fizzles out.
Hutchinson is the headliner, and he’s not just a speed guy-he brings a long-arm move that can lock tackles up late in the down, plus inside counters that demand discipline. Expect Detroit to test Thomas with stunts and loops designed to create confusion and open up Hutchinson’s second move.
If Marcus Davenport suits up, he’ll bring a speed-to-power look that adds another layer to Thomas’ assignment. The key for Thomas?
Stay patient, stay square, and win the down late.
Left Guard: Tyler Smith
2025 Stats:
760 total snaps | 490 pass blocks | 18 pressures | 0 QB hits | 2 sacks allowed | 9 penalties
Tyler Smith is built for games like this-nasty, physical, and fought in a phone booth. He’s a tone-setter, and that matters even more this week with a backup tackle lining up next to him.
Smith’s run-blocking grade (76.3, ninth among guards) tells the story: he moves people. And against a Detroit front that ranks 30th in run stop win rate, that’s a mismatch Dallas will look to exploit.
The Cowboys have leaned on inside zone, and Smith is often the tip of the spear. His ability to create displacement inside opens lanes for Javonte Williams and helps keep the offense ahead of the sticks. That’s especially valuable against a Lions defense that wants to tee off on second-and-long.
On passing downs, Smith will see plenty of Hutchinson too. Detroit likes to run twists that drag Hutchinson inside post-snap, testing the communication between Smith and Thomas.
Inside, Alim McNeill is still the primary leverage test-he’s had an up-and-down year, but remains a powerful anchor who can collapse the pocket if left unchecked. Expect Detroit to rotate in Roy Lopez and rookie Tyleik Williams to keep fresh legs in the interior, but Smith’s physicality and experience make him a steadying force.
Center: Cooper Beebe
2025 Stats:
414 total snaps | 271 pass blocks | 9 pressures | 2 QB hits | 0 sacks | 0 penalties
If there’s a hinge point for this offensive line against Detroit, it’s Cooper Beebe. The Lions are bringing pressure at a top-five rate, but quarterbacks are still holding the ball for nearly three seconds against them-longest in the league.
That’s a lot of near-misses. Beebe’s job?
Keep the first 2.5 seconds of the play clean, and let the timing of the offense do the rest.
Beebe’s been rock-solid in his six starts this season-no sacks allowed, no penalties, and only two QB hits. That kind of consistency is gold for a young center, especially one who’s been tasked with handling a variety of fronts and simulated pressures.
Detroit will likely bring A-gap looks and try to pry open the middle post-snap, rather than winning off the line. Beebe’s ability to diagnose and adjust will be critical.
In the run game, he’s been just as dependable. His 72.8 run-blocking grade ranks 12th among centers, and when paired with Dallas’ strong interior win rates, the Cowboys have a clear path to control the line of scrimmage. Expect a steady diet of inside zone and quick-hitting play-action to keep Detroit’s rush off balance.
Right Guard: Tyler Booker
2025 Stats:
645 total snaps | 416 pass blocks | 16 pressures | 5 QB hits | 1 sack allowed | 6 penalties
For a deeper dive into Booker’s rookie season and how he’s faring in the trenches, check out the Cowboys’ rookie battleground breakdown. But suffice it to say, he’s held his own in a tough spot and continues to grow into the role.
Right Tackle: Terence Steele
2025 Stats:
806 total snaps | 507 pass blocks | 35 pressures | 6 QB hits | 4 sacks allowed | 6 penalties
Steele’s week starts with one big priority-clean up the penalties. He opened the Kansas City game with a false start and later got flagged for being illegally downfield. Those kinds of miscues are drive-killers, especially on the road.
But when he settles in, Steele is capable of being a stabilizing presence. His challenge this week is making Hutchinson win twice.
That means staying technically sound, keeping his feet under him, and staying alert for stunts and counters. Hutchinson thrives on second-effort moves-if Steele can stay connected through the whistle, he can neutralize a lot of what Detroit wants to do off the edge.
In the run game, Steele has a chance to make a real impact. Detroit’s run defense has struggled all year, and if Steele’s down blocks are clean and square, those four- and five-yard body blows can stack up in a hurry. That’s how Dallas can keep Hutchinson from pinning his ears back and teeing off in obvious passing situations.
Injury Watch: Tyler Guyton
Tyler Guyton has been sidelined in practice this week with an ankle injury and looks unlikely to suit up. That puts the spotlight squarely on Nathan Thomas, who’ll need to handle a full workload on Prescott’s blind side. Keep an eye on the final injury report as game day approaches, but for now, Dallas is preparing to roll with their depth.
Final Word
This Cowboys offensive line isn’t perfect, but it’s tough, versatile, and quietly effective. Against a Detroit defense that brings pressure but struggles to finish, the line’s ability to stay composed and win early in the down could be the difference between a clean pocket for Prescott and a long night of scrambling. If Thomas holds up, Smith and Beebe continue their steady play inside, and Steele avoids the penalty bug, Dallas has the blueprint to control the tempo and wear down a Lions front that’s still searching for answers.