Cowboys Draft Target Travis Burke Would Be Perfect Mauler for O-Line

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly met with Memphis OT Travis Burke, who would be an excellent fit for Dallas upfront.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:15am

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A cubist-style painting depicting an offensive lineman engaged in a blocking play, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the raw power and intensity of an offensive lineman's blocking technique.Memphis Today

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly interested in Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke, who is described as a 'rising prospect' and a potential long-term starter at right tackle for the team. Burke, a 6-foot-8, 325-pound mauler, is compared to current Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele and could provide valuable depth and competition on the offensive line.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have some questions along the offensive line, with uncertainty around the left tackle position and inconsistent play from Terence Steele at right tackle. Drafting a player like Burke could give the team another option to solidify the offensive line and protect their star quarterback Dak Prescott.

The details

Burke started 33 games over the last three seasons at right tackle for FIU and Memphis. He is praised for his size, strength, and nasty demeanor, though he may struggle with quickness at times. The Cowboys could deploy Burke at right tackle or potentially even left tackle if needed, providing valuable depth and competition upfront.

  • The Cowboys are reportedly scheduled to have a virtual meeting with Travis Burke ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Travis Burke

A 6-foot-8, 325-pound offensive tackle prospect from the University of Memphis who is drawing interest from the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Terence Steele

The current starting right tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, who has struggled with inconsistent play over the past three seasons.

Tyler Smith

A Cowboys offensive lineman who the team is considering moving to left tackle in 2026.

T.J. Bass

A backup offensive guard for the Cowboys who could be in line to start at left guard if Tyler Smith moves to left tackle.

Brock Hoffman

A former Cowboys backup guard and center who left the team to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What they’re saying

“Travis Burke is a tall, long tackle prospect with big, strong hands and a nasty demeanor. His upright, rigid play-style and below-average quickness lead to quick, clean losses on an island, but his length, strength, and temperament signal a quality swing tackle, with the ability to hold down right tackle as a functional starter.”

— Brandon Thorn, Bleacher Report Analyst

What’s next

The Cowboys will likely evaluate Travis Burke further during the pre-draft process to determine if he is the right fit to bolster their offensive line depth.

The takeaway

Drafting a mauling offensive tackle like Travis Burke could provide valuable insurance for the Cowboys' offensive line, which has some question marks heading into the 2026 season. Burke's size, strength, and nasty playing style make him an intriguing option to potentially start at right tackle or provide depth at multiple positions upfront.