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Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton knows he has to improve dramatically in Year 2.

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 12:08 PM ET

The runway for NFL rookies is often a long one, but for first-round picks, that runway is decidedly shorter, and Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton found that out the hard way in Year 1.

Stepping in for Tyron Smith, who moved to the New York Jets, Guyton struggled with penalty issues and inconsistent play that led to him sometimes being taken out of the starting role during games.

With great importance placed on Guyton cutting down on penalties and improving his overall play, it was crucial that he take significant leaps this offseason under Brian Schottenheimer.

And as it turns out, Tyler was one of the first players to walk through The Star's doors as OTAs began, and he revealed why.

“I had a lot to prove," Guyton said. "I had a lot to work on. I didn't do too good last season, I want to do better, I want to be the guy that can be depended on.”

He's self-aware. Brilliant.

With offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley, both of whom have skins on the wall in developing good offensive lines and run games, Guyton has hit the ground running this offseason.

Yes, it is only the early portion of the program, but Tyler knows that the margin for error is wafer-thin given the importance Schottenheimer is placing on Dallas being a run-first offense.

And it is clear he is taking body-morphing things seriously with a change in diet and a devotion to the weight room, the biggest difference as he looks to put a poor rookie season behind him, and as he says, be a player the team can depend on.

While it might be early, he's off to a good start.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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