The Dallas Cowboys have a big problem with left guard Tyler Smith. When Smith was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cowboys expected him to eventually replace Tyron Smith at the left tackle position. He spent his entire rookie year training camp practicing at left guard in preparation for the season opener against Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, due to Tyrone's injury before Week 1, Tyler had to fill in at the left tackle slot in his first game as a pro. Although the Cowboys lost the game, Tyler was more than capable in Tyrone's absence. The rookie spent most of his rookie season guarding Dak Prescott's blindside, giving fans plenty of reason to believe he was the left tackle of the future.
In his second season in 2023, Tyler Smith played the left guard position, and Tyron Smith started the season healthy. The second-year player from Tulsa played his best football, earning a Pro Bowl selection and AP Second Team All-Pro selection. Smith went from being a reliable left tackle in his rookie year to becoming one of the best left guards in football in his second season.
asked Stephen Jones. At the NFL Combine on Tuesday, Smith talked about his future in Dallas and where he might line up on the offensive line.
“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. ”
Smith is in a good situation for the Cowboys, as he has the versatility to be a valuable starter at either left guard or left tackle. It would certainly give them insurance if pending free agent Tyron Smith signs a contract to play somewhere in 2024. Taillon appears to want to finish his career in Dallas.
If Smith ultimately chooses to go to another contending team, the Cowboys have some insurance as to who their starting left tackle will be in 2024. But if Smith returns to the Cowboys, the team would have peace of mind on the left side of the offensive line. . When healthy, the guard/tackle combo of Taillon and Tyler is one of the better left sides of any line in the NFL.
