Is taking a guard at No. 12 bad drafting? The Cowboys have pressing offensive needs this offseason, and with the No. 12 overall pick, there was plenty of talent to choose from. Dallas could’ve picked a wide receiver or another flashy offensive weapon to help QB Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on that side of the ball. But Cowboys Nation is upset because Jerry Jones used the team’s first pick to draft a guard.

Alabama’s offensive guard Tyler Booker got lucky on Thursday night, as America’s Team picked him with their top selection. But Cowboys fans are not exactly on board with the decision, and neither are some notable names. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time the Cowboys did the exact opposite of what fans were hoping for. Well, with the team spending its first pick on a guard, the truth is, even the locker room didn’t seem all that thrilled. Or to be more precise: Micah Parsons wasn’t. The Cowboys LB was on a live draft show when the host announced, “And the Dallas Cowboys are selecting… Tyler Booker, offensive lineman from Alabama.” The disappointment on Micah’s face was immediate and impossible to miss. 

The hosts couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his reaction. Micah tried to play it off, saying, “Hold on. I am excited about the pick. This guy is a beast. He is a beast. And I look at him and Tyler Smith, guard on guard with Zack Martin leaving. This is one of them picks. I mean, wow.“

But Micah’s face didn’t quite match the words coming out of his mouth. “I just wanted to see that on my side of the ball,” the DE said, and that’s where the real emotion slipped out. Maybe the Cowboys’ defensive star was hoping for someone who’d help him out. A pass rusher, a linebacker, just anyone on defense, maybe? Well, the deed is done now.

Trying to bring the energy back up, Parsons then added, “But this guy’s a beast. I’m not mad at the pick. I get it. Look, that’s the type of excitement I had when I was a Cowboy. This is what I’m talking about.”

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys welcome Tyler Booker to the squad

“I’m super excited. Blessed to be a Cowboy. Great tradition of great offensive linemen. I’m excited to follow all those who came before me,” said Tyler Booker after his name was announced. For Booker, it’s a big night. Sharing his excitement about playing alongside Dak Prescott, the Alabama product added, “I can’t wait to get on the phone with Dak. Get him the protection he needs. Make sure he goes clean every single game. Just so excited to be a Cowboy.” 

Well, Booker will now have to fill in the shoes of Zack Martin, who retired in February this year after gracing the gridiron for 11 seasons with Dallas. Booker played in 13 games during the 2024 season and also started in 12 games for the 2023 season during his time with Alabama. He was named All-SEC for both years. The 21-year-old will now be playing under new Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer.

While Tyler Booker is excited to start his journey with the Cowboys, the reception hasn’t been as warm as he might have hoped. Fans are less focused on welcoming the young player and more frustrated by the team’s decision to prioritize the offensive line with their first pick. After the Cowboys announced their selection, Terrence Parsons, Micah Parsons’ brother, expressed his frustration on X, writing, “F— this team.”

Sadly, internal debates and criticism surrounding Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ draft strategy overshadowed Booker’s big moment. But he has all the time in the world and, as part of America’s Team, plenty of eyeballs watching to prove the doubters wrong.