The Dallas Cowboys have enjoyed over a decade of excellence at left tackle with future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, making the transition to a new starter a challenging endeavor. In their quest to protect quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side, the Cowboys drafted Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma, aiming to uphold their reputation for selecting top-tier offensive linemen.
Guyton entered the NFL with high expectations, but he also brought some areas for improvement, particularly in footwork and hand placement. His tendency to lean too much while blocking raised concerns. Throughout training camp, his athleticism and size shone, yet his rookie shortcomings became evident as the season progressed.
The ultimate test came early when Guyton faced All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett. Unsurprisingly, he encountered difficulties, surrendering a sack, three pressures, and two hurries. However, considering the caliber of the opponent, simply surviving that matchup was a victory in itself.
Overall, Guyton’s performance has been inconsistent. While his athleticism is apparent, he has allowed four sacks and 13 pressures, alongside eight penalties. This level of struggle mirrors the rookie season of All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith, who experienced his own challenges, allowing six sacks, 11 hits, and a staggering 39 pressures during his inaugural season.
It’s essential to remember that Guyton played right tackle at Oklahoma, making his adjustment to left tackle a learning process that requires time and practice. Recently, an injury sidelined him against the Detroit Lions, but the Cowboys have already indicated that Guyton will reclaim his starting position after the bye week.
Patience proved beneficial for Smith, who has now established himself as one of the league’s top linemen. While Guyton’s journey may take longer, especially given that he only began playing football in his senior year of high school, his potential remains. The growing pains he endures now could pave the way for him to become a reliable left tackle as his development progresses.
