FRISCO, Texas — Drew Shelton started at left tackle and Nate Thomas started at right tackle at Arizona. Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday at The Star that both are still learning technical parts of the position.
Shelton had been playing right tackle for three weeks before moving over for a couple of days, Schottenheimer said. What Dallas asked of the two was done for a purpose.
“I’ll talk about Drew first. Had some good sets, had some oversets. That’s all part of playing. I do think that he settled in a little bit as the game went. What we asked them to do was done for a purpose, but it was also not an easy task,” Schottenheimer said. “You’ve been playing right tackle if you’re Drew Shelton for three weeks, and then you move over for a couple of days, and then you have to go play left tackle in an NFL preseason game. Same thing with Nate.”
“Both incredibly talented, but they need to continue to grow and some of it’s fundamental,” Schottenheimer continued. “Both of them think the game very well, but there’s fundamental things that we’re talking about with Klayton and Conor Riley that both guys can improve on, and some of it’s your hand usage and replacing your hands and things like that, and how you set versus a wide technique and a tight technique. Very technical things that both those guys are still learning.”
The Dallas Cowboys Line At Arizona
Dallas started Shelton at left tackle, Trevor Keegan at left guard, Nick Leverett at center, Ajani Cornelius at right guard, and Thomas at right tackle in the 34-13 win at State Farm Stadium.
Thomas had worked mostly as the second-team left tackle earlier in camp. He spent last week taking second-team reps at right tackle instead.
Klayton Adams is in his second season as the Cowboys offensive coordinator. Conor Riley coaches the offensive line.
Drew Shelton And Nate Thomas
Dallas drafted Shelton in the fourth round, No. 112 overall, in April. He started at Penn State and is listed at 6-5 and 313 pounds.
Thomas arrived as a seventh-round pick in 2024, No. 233 overall out of Louisiana. He has played 17 games with 4 starts.
The Dallas Cowboys Tackle Depth Chart
Tyler Guyton started 10 games at left tackle last season. Terence Steele started all 17 at right tackle. Neither has played this preseason.
What Is Left Before Dallas Cowboys Cuts
Dallas practices in front of fans at The Star on Tuesday and Wednesday. The preseason closes Friday against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
Rosters must be at 53 players by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30. Waiver claims are due at noon CT the next day. Week 1 is Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants, with kickoff at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
