The Dallas Cowboys have developed a reputation for hitting home runs with the first round of the NFL Draft when it comes to offensive linemen. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zach Martin are good examples. In 2022, the Cowboys decided to select Tyler Smith with the 24th pick, which left many fans scratching their heads.
Oh, what a turn of events!
Since draft night, Smith played in 17 games as a rookie at left tackle and turned into an All-Pro/Pro Bowl player at left guard. With Tyron Smith leaving in free agency and Zach Martin leaving late in his career, Tyler is now an integral part of the offensive line for the future.
With the Cowboys ranked 24th in this year's draft, many analysts expect Dallas to dip into the offensive line pool again in the first round. It's not hard to disagree with everyone's thoughts, as there is an obvious hole at left tackle and potentially center.
Smith has a proven track record of playing at a high level at both positions on the left side, so Dallas could draft the best offensive lineman in the first round. At the NFL Combine in February, Stephen Jones was asked about Smith's future and whether he could see him lined up at either guard or tackle.
“That remains to be seen. It's starting to feel like Larry Allen again. His versatility certainly gives us options in terms of how we look at this team going forward. ”
Head coach Mike McCarthy also discussed where Smith would line up this season at the combine, and the answer was left guard. Throughout the draft process, many people have offered their opinions on where Smith should play, other than the player himself.
During an appearance on the “8th Round'' podcast with Cowboys center Brock Hoffman, Smith took questions from fans about his preferred position and where he would like to play in 2024.
Hoffman prefaced his questions by saying he knew Smith would be willing to play wherever the team needed him on the offensive line, a comment the All-Pro echoed. Hearing Smith's answer, he mentioned how important continuity is, and rightly so. As young players build their professional careers, it helps to have consistency in the lineup.
Looking at the numbers, keeping Smith at left guard should be the answer. According to Pro Football Focus (all guards who played at least 50% of the snaps), Smith is the ninth-best guard on offense, sixth-highest rated run blocker, and second in pass blocking efficiency at 98.6. was. -Next best to Brandon Schaaf.
OL Mastermind Duke Manyweather, who helps Smith train in the offseason, offered his opinion on where he should play and how dominant the Pro Bowler was on the left side this season.
He was an All-Pro in the OG!!! He developed a really great jump set and upkick. The second floor was special. Due to his offensive style of play, he was average and sometimes below average in OT. Everyone will forget that Tyler started at LG and that Smitty got injured in camp… https://t.co/TMQX3C22Q4
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 31, 2024
What Dallas does with its first-round draft pick could determine Smith's future on the offensive line. If the team decides to keep him at guard or move him to tackle, it will likely be the last time the team moves him barring an injury to someone else.
For now, Smith is the starting left guard for the Dallas Cowboys. Now he fast forwards to a month later. No one knows if it will be the same.
