Cowboys’ first-rounder open to position change if that’s what team wants
When the Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith 24th overall in 2022, he was an offensive tackle coming out of the University of Tulsa.
He started all 17 games at left tackle during his rookie season, allowing 39 pressures, 22 hurries and six sacks on 1,022 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus, before switching to left guard in 2023.
Though Smith is comfortable staying at left guard, where he surrendered 17 pressures, four hurries and just one sack, he’s also fine with moving back to his old position if that’s where he’s needed now that there’s a hole on the left side of Dallas’ offensive line.
“I'm coming off a really good year at guard,” Smith told “The 8th Round” podcast. “I'm feeling really comfortable at guard. I kind of like how the continuity is right now. ... I'm willing to do whatever it takes y'all, and I'm able to do whatever it takes. So we'll see what the future holds. Obviously, stay ready for anything but for right now, I'm the starting left guard of the Dallas Cowboys.”
There are pros and cons to Smith staying inside at guard.
The Cowboys already know he can play the position and be highly effective, and if he were to move back to tackle, it would simply create a hole at guard the team would have to fill.
Conversely, if Dallas plugged Smith in at left tackle, it could use its first-round pick in the draft to fill another position of need instead of taking one of the top tackles available.
Needing to fill Smith’s old position at guard, the Cowboys could potentially grab a top wide receiver like Texas' Adonai Mitchell or a linebacker like NC State’s Payton Wilson with the 24th overall pick and find a guard to take over for Smith with the 56th overall pick like UConn’s Christian Hayes or Boston College’s Christian Mahogany.
Whichever way the Cowboys decide to go, they at least have options, and flexibility is vitally important come draft time.
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