Tyler Smith #73 of the Dallas Cowboys
Getty
Tyler Smith #73 of the Dallas Cowboys
While the Dallas Cowboys have plenty of pressing issues to deal with in the coming weeks, ones that will surely grab the headlines not just among the team’s fans and observers, but around the NFL in general, one of the subtler–but still important–questions involves the state of the offensive line, especially guard Tyler Smith.
Especially at left tackle. One of the strengths of the Cowboys as an organization in recent years has been the ability to draft and develop offensive line talent, but there is increasing concern that the team may have missed on one of their recent attempts to fill arguably the most critical spot on that front five. That would be Tyler Guyton, who struggled last season with injuries and had his season cut short by an ankle sprain.
The Cowboys closed the season with guard Tyler Smith at left tackle, and when asked about it, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that the move to kick Smith to the outside might be a permanent one.
Tyler Smith: ‘I’m an All-Pro Guard’
Now, Smith made clear that he would play where the Cowboys ask him to play. But he also made clear that he is a guard, and was more than a little disgruntled by the position change. He has established himself as a star at guard, a Pro Bowler for the last three years and a second-team All-Pro in 2023.
When the prospect of moving in for Guyton was raised, Smith said, “I’m an All-Pro guard, bro. That’s the simple truth if we’re just looking at stuff purely off facts. So we’ll see what happens, we’ll have those conversations when we have those conversations and kind of see where everybody’s head is at.”
Moving Smith to tackle will give them a more experienced player at that spot, but that does not mean Smith will be a star on the outside like he is on the inside. And thus, the Cowboys run the risk of weakening themselves at both guard and tackle by moving Smith.
Cowboys Do Not Want to Move Tyler Smith
That was acknowledged by Klayton Adams, the Cowboys offensive coordinator, in an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Wednesday. Adams expressed the same uncertainty that Smith did about the next steps, but agreed with Smith that it does not make sense to move an All-Pro out of his comfort zone.
“I don’t know exactly what the answer is for the future,” Adams said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I know this, when we have those three inside guys (Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker) playing together, it’s one of our greatest strengths. So do we kinda want to soften one of the things we’re really good at to try to make up at another position? I think in an ideal world, no.”
Tyler Guyton
GettyDallas Cowboys left offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.
Cowboys Hope to Give Tyler Guyton More Time
Adams added that he thinks the Cowboys needed to move Smith last year to get their five best offensive linemen on the field. But he also is in favor of giving Guyton more time to put together a full, healthy season at tackle with Smith remaining inside.
“I know Tyler Guyton has been frustrated (because) he had a great offseason, he’s starting training camp good, and then he’s on the shelf for a little bit,” Adams said. “And then he comes back and he’s doing some good things and he’s flashing, and then he’s on the shelf for a little bit.
“I generally use this metric in my mind, and I believe it. You got to get these young players through start 20-25. Then you start seeing those guys kind of self-monitor and see some of their own things they need to fix or be able to help themselves a little bit. You get through that number and now you start seeing a player that’s going to improve from coaching and also from self awareness.”