The Cowboys could have selected Tyler Guyton with the 24th overall pick in the first round of Thursday's draft.
Instead, they traded back to the Detroit Lions and acquired a second third-round pick on Friday.
Then they drafted Guyton.
Dallas selected the former TCU and Oklahoma tackle with the No. 29 overall pick. His presence is expected to anchor Tyler Smith at left guard for the foreseeable future. Guyton started 13 games at right tackle and one at left tackle in college, but pitched to the left side in Dallas.
Last month, the Cowboys lost two starters on the offensive line, as left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz signed with the New York Jets and Washington Commanders, respectively. With those departures, and right guard Zach Martin's future uncertain after his contract expires in 2025, offensive linemen are likely targets.
The 6-7, 322-pound Guyton is the fifth offensive lineman selected in the first round by the current Cowboys front office. Batting averages of other players, Tyler Smith (2022, 24th overall), Martin (2014, 16th), center Travis Frederick (2013, 31st), and Tyron Smith (2011, 9th) is 1.000. .
Guyton grew up in Manor, Texas, northeast of Austin, as a Cowboys fan. Basketball was his athletic focus until he started playing football late in high school. Although he is considered an excellent athlete, he is still honing some of the technical aspects of his position, as would be expected given the amount of time he has spent in the role.
According to Pro Football Focus, Guyton played 1,011 snaps at right tackle for the Sooners, compared to 70 on the left side.
There's definitely a learning curve on the left side of the NFL. Playing next to Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro selection Tyler Smith in 2023 can only help.
“Honestly, that was the most exciting thing for me,” Guyton told Cowboys reporters on a conference call. “I got a guard and he's a dude. I love the way he plays. … I feel like we can have a blast together. I love his mean edge and ferocious mentality. I love it. Hopefully I can piggyback on him.”
Dallas traded a first-round pick with Detroit for the 73rd overall pick.
To complete the deal, the Cowboys also gave up a 2025 seventh-round pick. That's not a huge loss, especially considering the franchise is expected to receive an NFL-high four compensatory picks in 2025. Former Duke offensive lineman Graham Burton and Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson were among the notable players drafted during this period. 24th and 29th picks.
The Lions selected former Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 24th pick.
More NFL Draft Day 1 coverage
— Cowboys first-round patience pays off as they find a way to address their main goals in the NFL Draft
— Do you want to close the window? Cowboys' smart moves overshadowed by NFC East foes on Day 1 of the NFL Draft
— Micah Parsons “totally disgusted” with Eagles draft pick. 'I'm not angry' about Cowboys' selection
—Dallas Cowboys select Oklahoma University OT Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
— National reaction to Dallas Cowboys drafting OT Tyler Guyton: 'That's crazy'
— NFL Draft Live Updates: Dallas Cowboys trade down from No. 24 to select No. 29
— Listen: Tyler Guyton gets a call from the Cowboys with the 29th overall pick
— 5 things to know about Oklahoma native Tyler Guyton joining the Cowboys offensive line
— 2024 NFL Draft Scoring: Experts score Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton selected by Cowboys
Read more Cowboys coverage from the Dallas Morning News here.
