Stashed in 2024, Cowboys 7th-round pick looks to turn grainy film into real opportunity

One of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to roster manipulation is the IR stash at the end of training camp. When a team has a player it has no intention of putting on the field, but has enough concern another team might have interest, they avoid risking the player being claimed off waivers in an attempt to get them on the practice squad. Instead, they trade practice reps for projection, and place a player like Nate Thomas on IR, where he can work out and sit through meetings.

But what happens when the coaching staff changes after the redshirt season? That's what Thomas faces in 2025 where, despite offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's rise to the head coach role, he has a whole new scheme and position coach to impress.

RunDown

Position: Offensive Tackle

Age: 24 (Week 1 age)

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 331 pounds

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

High School: Chamlee High School

College: Louisiana (Pre-Draft Analysis)

Draft: 2024 Draft, Seventh-Round (No. 233 overall)

Acquired: 2024 Draft

Contract: Four-year extension (2024), $4.1 million

2025 Base Salary: $795,000

Profile

Thomas has a chance to make the 2025 roster as the Cowboys have issues at both tackle spots. Tyler Guyton had an mostly down rookie year as a first-round pick, and his backup Asim Richards doesn't have a ton of experience, either. On the opposite side, Terence Steele is entering the final assured year of his deal and if he can't improve his pass protection he may not get another opportunity in Dallas. In other words, there are future snaps to project and if Thomas shows value, they won't be able to stash him another year.

Aside from those three players, Matt Waletzko still exists on the depth chartm as does Dakoda Shepley. The Cowboys also signed Hakeem Adeniji during free agency, who has experience both inside and out, and drafted Anaji Cornelius in the sixth round back in April.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 71 OT Nate Thomas