Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys have built a reputation for hitting home runs in the first round of the NFL draft regarding offensive linemen. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin are good examples. In 2022, the Cowboys decided to pick Tyler Smith at No. 24, which left many fans scratching their heads.

My oh my, how the tables can get turned.

Since draft night, Smith has played 17 games at left tackle as a rookie and turned into an All-Pro/Pro Bowl player at left guard. As Tyron Smith leaves in free agency and Zack Martin on the back half of his career, Tyler is now an integral part of the offensive line moving into the future.

With the Cowboys sitting at No. 24 in this year’s draft, many analysts think Dallas will dip into the offensive line pool again in the first round. With glaring holes at left tackle and potentially center, it’s not hard to argue with everyone’s thinking.

Because of Smith’s proven track record of playing at a high level at either position on the left side, Dallas can draft the best offensive lineman available in the first round. In February at the NFL combine, Stephen Jones was asked about Smith’s future and whether he could see him lining up at either guard or tackle.

“That remains to be seen. It’s starting to feel like Larry Allen all over again. His versatility certainly brings options to the table in terms of how we look at this team moving forward.”

Head coach Mike McCarthy also discussed at the combine where he envisions Smith lining up this season, and his answer was left guard. Throughout the draft process, many people have given their opinions on where Smith should play, except for the player himself—until now.

While appearing on The 8th Round Podcast with Cowboys center Brock Hoffman, Smith was asked a fan question about his preferred position and where he would like to play in 2024.

Hoffman prefaced before asking the question that he knew Smith would be willing to play anywhere the team needed to on the offensive line, and the All-Pro echoed his comments. Listening to Smith’s answer, he mentioned how continuity is important to him, which makes sense. When a young player is developing their professional career, having consistency in where they line up helps.

Keeping Smith at left guard should be the answer when you look at the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus (for all guards who played at least 50 percent of the snaps), Smith was the ninth-best guard on offense, the sixth-best-graded run blocker, and had a pass-blocking efficiency of 98.6, second-best only behind Brandon Scherff.

Duke Manyweather of OL Masterminds, who helps train Smith in the offseason, voiced his opinion on where he should play and how dominant the Pro Bowl player was this season on the left side.

How the draft falls for Dallas in the first round could dictate Smith’s future on the offensive line. If the team decides to keep him at guard or move to tackle, it’s probably the last time the team moves him outside of injury to others.

For now, Smith is the starting left guard of the Dallas Cowboys. Fast forward a month from now; who knows if it’ll be the same way.