The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a trade sending offensive tackle Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, according to reports from multiple outlets. Thomas, a 25-year-old former seventh-round selection out of Louisiana, departs Dallas after appearing in all 17 games with four starts during the 2025 NFL season.
Roster Shuffling on the Offensive Line
The deal comes as NFL teams work to trim their rosters down to the initial 53-player limit by 5:00 p.m. CT. According to Cowboys Wire, the transaction effectively swaps young depth pieces following a busy weekend of roster management in Dallas. The Cowboys added former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones in a separate trade over the weekend, a move that reshaped the team’s upfront depth chart and made other linemen expendable.
Yahoo Sports reported that the acquisition of Jones cost Dallas a third- and sixth-round pick in 2027, while recouping a fourth-rounder from Pittsburgh. With Thomas now heading to Houston for a 2027 seventh-round pick, the Cowboys adjusted their future draft capital while solidifying a tackle rotation featuring Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Broderick Jones, and fourth-round pick Drew Shelton, as detailed by Cowboys Wire.
Training Camp Competition and Head Coach Comments
At the start of the offseason, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated that Thomas and Tyler Guyton would compete for the starting left tackle job. However, a few weeks into training camp, the coaching staff opted to keep Guyton with the first-team offense.
“We talked to Nate and said, ‘Nate needs to show us a little bit more consistent play to push for that,'” Schottenheimer said, according to the primary source material. “And so I know we had told you guys about the rotation, so Tyler [Guyton] will stay at left tackle. Excited to see how Nate handles that challenge. But Tyler’s playing really, really well.”
Following that decision, the team evaluated Thomas at right tackle to compete for the swing tackle role alongside Drew Shelton, according to Cowboys Wire. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones noted after the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints that the front office maintained a flexible strategy for the position. “We’ve seen some guys that we might make some shifting around if it called for it,” Jones said. “But we’ve got a good plan. We’ll see where we go from here, it’s not over yet.”
Did You Know?
Nate Thomas entered the league as the No. 233 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Louisiana. After spending his entire rookie season on injured reserve (IR), he stepped into a larger role in 2025 by playing in every regular-season game and making four starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Cowboys receive for trading Nate Thomas?
According to team reports, the Cowboys traded Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.
Which teams and players were involved in the Dallas offensive line trades?
The Dallas Cowboys traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire tackle Broderick Jones, sending away a 2027 third-round pick and sixth-round pick while receiving a 2027 fourth-round pick back, according to Yahoo Sports. Dallas subsequently traded Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans.
Who is currently in the Cowboys’ offensive tackle room?
Following the roster adjustments and trades, the Cowboys’ tackle group consists of Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Broderick Jones, and fourth-round pick Drew Shelton, as reported by Cowboys Wire.
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