Cowboys’ offensive tackle issues go beyond Tyron Smith’s departure
Everybody knows that Tyron Smith is gone, but the Cowboys have issues beyond him at tackle right now.
Anytime you lose a franchise fixture like OT Tyron Smith, that’s going to dominate the story at the position going into the next season. While Dallas adequately replacing Smith is the key issue for the OTs in 2024, the Cowboys’ concerns for the position shouldn’t stop there.
Smith, a five-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, and starter since 2011, is now a New York Jet. The Cowboys addressed his exit with their first-round pick last April, selecting Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. Like most first-rounders, and especially given the circumstances in Dallas, Guyton walks in as the presumptive starter. It’s his job to lose in training camp, and it will take a tremendous flop or injury for the rookie to be ousted.
That alone is rightfully scary. Even a young Smith didn’t start his career at left tackle; he moved there in his second season. Guyton is going to be immediately tasked with protecting QB Dak Prescott’s blindside and taking on the best pass rushers on Dallas’ upcoming schedule. Even with a strong rookie season, Guyton will have his moments and they could be costly.
Unfortunately, left tackle isn’t the team’s only worry in 2024. On the other end of the line, Terence Steele still has to prove he’s all the way back from a 2022 ACL injury that hampered him last season. What’s more, even at his best, Steele’s never been outstanding in pass protection. That could be compounded if Guyton’s having issues on his side.
Steele, like so many Cowboys offensive linemen since 2014, has benefited from playing next to the great Zack Martin. But Martin’s entering his 11th season and, even with continued greatness, is starting to show his age at times. If Martin’s game takes a backward step, that could adversely affect the right tackle as well.
Beyond the starters, Dallas’ OT depth is another consideration. One potential positive from Tyron Smith’s departure is that it could put less pressure on them. Smith’s inability to play a full season since 2016 is well-documented, so maybe our backups will finally get a break.
Still, Steele has a history now and we don’t know how Guyton will hold up as a professional. If one of them misses time it’s reasonable to be worried about Chuma Edoga, Asim Richards, Nathan Thomas, or whoever else makes the roster having to play significant snaps at either tackle spot. All of these guys are considered better NFL prospects at guard than tackle. In fact, if Guyton were to go down, it’s probable that LG Tyler Smith would slide over and someone else would plug in at guard.
So yes, Dallas rightfully spent a first-round pick to fill the big hole from Tyron Smith’s exit. But even if Tyler Guyton’s rookie year goes as well as possible, there’s much more to keep an eye on at offensive tackle. Terence Steele isn’t a sure thing and the backup options are all suspect. Hopefully, good health and solid performance keep the Cowboys from having to test their depth.
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