The Dallas Cowboys have not operated like a team that is very well-run in the last few offseasons, as they have consistently pinched pennies at a time when they needed to splash the cash. Instead, Dallas decided to reach on a guard no one saw was an option at No. 12 overall.

Dallas selected Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker, who was projected to be selected later in the first round, with the No. 12 overall pick. Jones didn’t take long to make himself an instant pariah in a Draft that hasn’t featured many big reaches in the first few selections.

Replacing the recently retired Martin is a noble undertaking for Jones, but the fact that Dallas did that while reaching to such a sharp degree that it threw the rest of the first round into chaos is not the way to do it. Jalon Walker and Matthew Golden were right there, yet the Cowboys chose to go this far in the wrong direction.

Cowboys reach to replace Zack Martin with Tyler Booker selection in NFL Draft

Booker profiles as a starting guard with an absolutely massive frame that could help him develop into a quality player. However, this selection screams reach, as it seemed unlikely that Booker was going to be picked within the first 20 picks.

Martin needed to be replaced, and it’s hard to really shake a stick at a team like Dallas investing in the offensive line after losing a player of his caliber, but the Cowboys have clearly reached on a player that was not good value at pick No. 12 overall. His run-blocking is solid, but he needs a ton of work as a pass protector.

Booker and the offensive line as a whole have the potential to evolve into one of the best units in the league, but the potential for a sharp regression could ruin Jones’ ideal plan.