The Dallas Cowboys made a controversial decision when they selected Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With fans dreaming of a playmaker to spark their offense, the Cowboys opted for a meat-and-potatoes approach that saw them take a prospect who was projected to be on the fringe of the first round.
The backlash has been audible over the weekend and not even Booker’s description of his violent playing style could silence the critics. But the 21-year-old is doing his best to win over his new fan base and took a step forward while pulling out a page of the Cowboys’ history book.
Tyler Booker Recalls Ezekiel Elliott’s Game-Winning Touchdown Against Steelers
Booker spoke with reporters, including WFAA’s Mike Leslie, on Sunday night and talked about some of the memories he had about the Cowboys growing up. The Alabama product cited one play in particular where Ezekiel Elliott raced for a 32-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining to help Dallas earn a 35-30 in a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 13, 2016.
That touchdown was one of the most iconic moments of a Cowboys season that ended with a 13-3 record. Elliott had already raced for an 83-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of the game at Heinz Field (now known as Acrisure Stadium) and capped off a back-and-forth game where he scored on a 14-yard touchdown run to give Dallas a 29-24 lead with 1:55 to go and Ben Roethlisberger connected with Antonio Brown on a 15-yard go-ahead score with 42 seconds left to play.
With the Cowboys driving into Pittsburgh territory, left tackle Tyron Smith and tight end Gavin Escobar created the lane for Elliott to run through. The Pro Bowl back raced through it to cap a day where he racked up 209 total yards, including 114 on the ground, and gave Dallas an impressive win on their way to an NFC East title.
It’s fitting that Booker remembers this play because it’s exactly what the Cowboys were envisioning when they made the pick Thursday night. Dallas lost future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin earlier in the offseason due to retirement, but has rebuilt its offensive line over the past three drafts, including 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith and 2024 draft picks Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe.
While fans hoped for more firepower, Booker could do the dirty work to make sure the offense clicks. It could lead to more moments like the one that stands out in his mind as he heads to Dallas.