The Dallas Cowboys made their initial addition to the offense to start their Day 3, focusing on the line with the No. 112 overall selection. The Cowboys chose Drew Shelton, offensive tackle from Penn State, after focusing on all three levels of their defense through Thursday and Friday.
It is a common practice for the Cowboys to acquire offensive linemen each season. With five starters in a position group based on continuity, it's an imperative. The question is, how much can Shelton help right now, and what more does he have to do in order to become a full-time contributor.
Shelton possesses a background in basketball, having played at Downingtown High School in Pennsylvania. His natural fluidity is evident in his performance as a left tackle at Penn State, where he adeptly maneuvered as a blocker and engaged edge rushers with his pass slides.
As a pass blocker, he effectively utilizes his hands and demonstrates patience in his movements, whether in one-on-one situations or within zone-blocking schemes. He exhibits quick feet for a player of his size, enabling him to effectively mirror edge rushers. Shelton can swiftly set his feet and maintain balance even under pressure. He possesses the strength and determination necessary to create openings in the run game, particularly on power runs and inside zone concepts. His strong capability to move defenders off the ball is evident when he is tasked with drive-blocking.
What Shelton must improve upon is his hand positioning. Occasionally, his positioning becomes excessively wide, resulting in difficulties disengaging from defensive linemen, particularly when confronted with stronger pass rushers.
There are instances where he may lose his balance or overreach with his feet when facing more nimble or stunting defenders, which can result in missed opportunities or holding infractions. His play strength raises concerns. Once he enters the NFL weight room, fans should anticipate some advancements. He needs to cultivate a more reliable punch to incapacitate rushers before they can fully engage with him. The question is how far out those improvements may reside.
Due to his agility and capacity to create openings for running backs, he will likely serve as a swing tackle for the Cowboys, competing with Nathan Thomas, as a rookie. This could render him an asset if he is required to play either left or right tackle. Though he played 2025 on the left side, he may ultimately evolve into the future starting right tackle for the Cowboys should they decide to part ways with Terence Steele.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Scouting report for new Cowboys OT Drew Shelton, pick No. 112