The Dallas Cowboys made it clear throughout the draft process that they had their eye on Tyler Guyton as their potential first-round draft pick. They met with him extensively, and he’s a Texas native, but when the team traded down from pick No. 24 to pick No. 29, the Sooners star felt devastation for a potential life-long dream lost. Ultimately, though two other tackles came off the board between 24 and 29, the Cowboys were able to scoop him up – a dream fulfilled.
“My heart dropped because I really love the Cowboys and I really love football and that was all I was dreaming for,” Guyton told reporters after the first round. “But we got the job done.”
Dallas didn’t bring the 6-foot-8, 322-pound tackle in for a top-30 visit, but even so, they did what they could to get to know him before the big night. Guyton credited his relationship with offensive line coach Mike Solari for tipping him off to how the draft might go.
“I had a lot of conversations with the Cowboys,” Guyton said. “I was really close with Mike Solari, and we chopped it up at all times that we could. A lot at the Pro Day and I kind of had a feeling that that he was going to make me their guy.”
After hearing his name called, Guyton admitted that he’s been a fan of America’s Team for as long as he can remember. He described the full-circle moment of seeing the Cowboys’ star up close for the first time.
“I feel like that comes off of being a Dallas Cowboys fan my whole life,” he said. “Walking into that meeting and seeing that Star on these dudes’ hats. It was a full circle moment for me because I’ve been growing up watching the Cowboys play every single Thanksgiving. And I as a young man didn’t think that was going to be me but now it’s me. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Big shoes to fill for Guyton at left tackle
Dallas has had plenty of success with offensive linemen, especially those taken in the first round in recent years, but perhaps none more revered than left tackle Tyron Smith. Smith’s shoes are the ones Guyton will attempt to fill, potentially even this year.
“I was a big Tyron Smith fan my whole life because he plays for my team,” Guyton said. “He plays for my favorite team and once I started playing the offensive line position, knowing that he’s one of the best to ever do it, was kind of amazing for me.”
The veteran lineman is gone now – signed to the Jets – but whether Guyton plays left tackle or right tackle, he’ll have top-shelf guards to help him along in Tyler Smith and Zach Martin. Smith is just a year removed from doing what the former Oklahoma star will attempt to do, which is start at left tackle in Year 1.
“That was the most exciting thing for me, honestly,” Guyton said of playing beside Tyler Smith. “I get a guard that’s a dog. I love how he plays. Love how we’re in the same situation as him last year and I feel like we’re going to thrive together. I love his nasty edge and his ferocious mentality and hopefully, I can piggyback off of him.”
Guyton hasn’t yet sat down with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, but the two will get to work together shortly. The Dallas offensive line allowed a five-year high of 39 sacks on Prescott last season but with their new first-rounder in the mix, they could see massive improvement soon.
“I can’t wait to really dive into it and be a part of this team and block for Dak,” Guyton said. “I think Dak is an amazing quarterback, and we have big things in store.”
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