Dallas went all-in on defense this offseason, no doubt. But when it came to their 2026 draft, offensive tackle Drew Shelton was the first offensive player they snagged, making him someone to keep a close eye on in camp. That’s a big signal, especially when offensive tackle is looking like a serious headache for them.
The Penn State Powerhouse With a Catch
Shelton’s got some serious pedigree, no question. The dude spent four years at Penn State, starting at left tackle for his last two seasons. His junior year? Straight fire. The Nittany Lions went 13-3 and even made it to the CFP Semifinal. He wasn’t just bringing the muscle either; Shelton snagged honorable mention for All-Big Ten twice and was on the Academic All-Big Ten team for three years. Brains and brawn, right? Well, almost. The scouting reports on Shelton were pretty clear: he’s a good athlete for his class, but there’s a “noted lack of play strength” that definitely dinged his stock. That’s why he landed as a mid-round prospect, needing time to develop. Dallas picked him at 112th overall, making him one of only two offensive picks this year.
A Long-Term Bet or a Backup Bargain?
Here’s the deal: Shelton signed a four-year rookie contract, and his 2026 cap hit is a lean $1.18 million. Even if he only ever becomes a swing tackle, that’s a bargain for a crucial backup role. Forget about him getting cut, too. The guy’s got a 100% chance of making the roster. You’d have to go all the way back to 2006 to find a fourth-round pick like WR Skyler Green who just didn’t make it past final cuts. It’s been 20 years, man!
Now, don’t expect Shelton to walk in and snatch a starting job from Tyler Guyton or Terence Steele. That reported lack of play strength is real, and it’s gonna take at least a year for him to mitigate it. He might push Nate Thomas as the swing tackle, but even that’s a steep climb since Thomas is also a developing prospect supposedly vying for a starting spot with Guyton. This summer, Shelton is more of a threat to second-year guy Ajani Cornelius than anyone above them. Dallas brought him in with an eye on the future, not the present. This isn’t about 2026; it’s about 2027. If Guyton doesn’t make serious progress in his third year, Shelton could absolutely emerge as a solid contender. So, watching him in next month’s preseason games will be totally intriguing. It’ll show us exactly what kind of potential Dallas is banking on for their offensive line’s future.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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