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Is It Gut-Check Time For Cowboys' Tyler Guyton?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 12:43 PM ET

Rookies often get a grace period, but when it comes to first-rounders and ones who are slated to start from Week 1, like Dallas Cowboys' left tackle Tyler Guyton was last year, that runway is considerably shorter.

Granted, a right tackle in college, who switched to left tackle last season under Mike McCarthy, Guyton was inconsistent, and tied for the third-most penalties (14) in football.

Guyton was thrown into the deep end, and while he did show flashes, he just wasn't consistent enough. That's fine, but the Cowboys needed him to be a dependable tackle.

Now, ahead of Year 2, Tyler has changed his diet and has worked like a maniac this offseason in preparation for what he hopes will be a far better year production-wise.

As such, CBS Sports has named Guyton as Dallas' most important non-quarterback crucial to the team's success.

"Guyton struggled badly as a rookie and has a whole lot to improve on heading into Year 2," CBS Sports writes. "Dallas has a history of getting the best out of first-round offensive linemen (see: Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Tyler Smith), but Guyton was a much rawer prospect coming into the league than most of those guys were.

"He has tools, and the Cowboys need him to put it together to protect Dak Prescott, who is getting deeper into his 30s and not as mobile as he once was thanks to his various injuries."

With Guyton part of a revamped offensive line with Tyler Booker, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Smith, and Terence Steele, the group has two offensive line coaches with skins on the wall in Klayton Adams and Conor Riley to help push the unit to new heights.

Much has been made of Dak Prescott's weapons this season, but that will count for little if No. 4 is consistently picking himself up off the turf. Hence why getting things nailed down and tightened up is crucial.

Oxnard is a couple of weeks away, and it will be there when we can see Guyton's progression ahead of what might be a rather important year for left tackle.

While there might be other non-quarterbacks who could be viewed as more important to the team's success, having a left tackle who keeps his defender off his quarterback is going to be critical for the success of Brian Schottenheimer's offense.

He is only in his second season, but Tyler needs to bounce back in the best possible way this season.

And we bet he will.

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

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