After trading down five places to select Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton with the 29th choice in the NFL draft on Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys appeared to have found their next left tackle, a promising addition for a team that had lost two mainstays to free agency.
Guyton began his undergraduate career at TCU, not far from the Cowboys’ home field, and grew up in the Austin region as a fan of the legendary team. He played predominantly right tackle in two seasons with the Sooners. Guyton shielded left-handed quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s blind side in 2023.
“He is the backside tackle, so it will definitely be an easy transition as far as the responsibility of playing the back side of the quarterback,” said Mike McCarthy, the coach. “Just to feel his zeal and love over the phone—he’s an Austin, Texas native, a Cowboys fan, and all that. This enhances our offensive line room to a significant extent.”
Dallas has eight losses. In free agency, Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith signed with the New York Jets, while center Tyler Biadasz joined Washington.
With Guyton joining the team, the Cowboys think they can start 2022 first-round selection Tyler Smith at left guard, where he played for the majority of his rookie campaign while Tyron Smith was sidelined. Last season, he moved to left guard.
“I feel like those are big shoes to fill from such a legendary tackle,” Guyton stated. “But I´m going to work my (butt) off to do the best that I can.”
The Cowboys added an early third-round pick and handed Detroit the 24th overall pick. Through the transaction, Dallas acquired four top 100 picks. At No. 24, the Lions selected Terrion Arnold, a cornerback from Alabama.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones stated, “You would hope to have a little sexiness to this pick using a first-round pick, but it’s hard to do with offensive linemen.” “Two years ago, we truly believed that we had that with Tyler Smith. Here, I believe we’ve got it. With his tremendous upside, this offensive tackle is a hot pick.”
Dallas has other needs, but with Tyron Smith and Biadasz gone, the offensive line may be the most urgent.
Dallas’ offensive line has been in flux for a few seasons, even if seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin continues to be a reliable anchor for the group that guards quarterback Dak Prescott. After the 2019 season, center Travis Frederick abruptly announced his retirement.
Due to a string of seasons marred by injuries, Dallas was cautious to commit to Tyron Smith. Despite playing in 13 games last season—his most since 2019—the 33-year-old hardly practiced because the team sought to preserve his health.
The Cowboys believe they already have a couple of candidates to replace Biadasz, a three-year starter. Among them are two young, undrafted players in Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass.
Dallas has lost at least one starter to free agency in each of the past three offseasons. Left guard Connor Williams went to Miami in 2022, and his replacement, Connor McGovern, signed with Buffalo last year.
