Cowboys Reportedly Debated Drafting Walter Nolen Before Deciding on Tyler Booker Pick

Another SEC standout was high on the Dallas Cowboys' 2025 NFL draft board before they selected Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said team officials deliberated between Booker and another prospect in the first round throughout Thursday. That player was still available with the No. 12 pick. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen was the prospect in question.

Nolen wound up going 16th to the Arizona Cardinals.

The 2024 consensus All-American had 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss as a junior with the Rebels. He was the No. 14 overall player on Bleacher Report's big board.

The Cowboys allowed 137.1 yards per game on the ground and 4.8 yards per carry. Bolstering the interior of their defensive line would've made sense.

The offensive line was an area of need as well, though. Tyron Smith's departure as a free agent last offseason continues to loom large, and Zack Martin's retirement in March left a massive void at guard.

B/R's Brent Sobleski argued Dallas "made the right move by replacing the retired Martin with a tailor-made right guard who will immediately take over as the alpha in the room and a tone-setter on the field."

A lot of Cowboys fans were probably hoping the team would land Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or perhaps Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Unfortunately, both of those players were gone in the top 10.

Even Nolen would've been a slightly more exciting choice because it's more fun to watch a disruptive defensive tackle than a road-grader along the offensive line.

But Booker should make an immediate impact in Dallas.