SUCCESSION: Cowboys Meet 7 Tackles As Combine As Tyron Smith Plans Free Agency Move
With selection No. 24 in the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys are widely expected to pursue an impact player to rejuvenate their offensive line.
Could they look to a rapidly rising prospect who is standing out among his peers just as it seems Tyron Smith might be headed out the door?
Dallas may be wise to keep a sharp eye on Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton ... and he's one of seven offensive tackles the Cowboys have met with formally at the NFL Scouting Combine, all happening as the news is breaking that Tyron Smith is "unlikely'' to return to "America's Team'' as he explores free agency.
Who are these Magnificent 7?
Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
© Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Via DallasCowboys.com's Nick Harris: Amarius Mims (Georgia), JC Latham (Alabama), Jordan Morgan (Arizona), Isaiah Adams (Illinois), Christian Jones (Texas), Troy Fautanu (Washington), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State) and Guyton of OU.
*Our look at Mims (via Mel Kiper's mock, which brings him to Dallas) is here.
*Our CowboysCountry.com look at Fautanu is here.
*And our look at Jordan Morgan is here.
In addition to Smith’s uncertain future in Dallas, by the way, the Cowboys are also facing the prospect of losing center Tyler Biadasz and reserve utility man Chuma Edoga due to impending free agency.
Let's take a look at Guyton here ...
Despite playing his first nine college football games at TCU, Guyton transferred to Oklahoma in 2022. He played in 10 games for the Sooners (making nine starts), while allowing zero sacks, three pressures and 12 quarterback hits at right tackle per Pro Football Focus. At 6-7, 328 pounds, Guyton’s impressive build and athleticism has made him a top-25 prospect on many big boards across the NFL Draft media landscape.
However, his impressive showing during Senior Bowl practices could land him the mix of players available and deserving of the Cowboys first-round pick in April's draft.
Writes our friend Dane Brugler: "A nimble big man, Guyton has quick movements in his lower body, with the fluid hips for natural recoveries. He comfortably sinks his weight and strengthens his anchor to keep blocks centered. He is still fundamentally raw in areas, however, and bumps in the road should be expected once he faces NFL talent.
"Still, his tools and upside make Guyton worthy of a top-20 pick.''
Having converted from defensive tackle, the massive lineman demonstrated impressive athleticism -- especially his explosiveness off the line -- during the event's three days of practice. While he primarily played right tackle at Oklahoma, Guyton possesses several traits necessary to successfully play on the left side as well.
Herein lies his potential fit with the Cowboys.
While the right side effectively manned by veteran Terence Steele — who signed a five-year, $86.8 million contract extension with the Cowboys last Sept. — Guyton has the talent to be a plug-and-play option on the left, should Smith continue his football journey outside Dallas. At the very least, he could be a sizable succession plan at the position. Additionally, the ex-Sooner could provide insurance at right tackle, should Steele be subject to injury.
While NFL Draft projections are not an exact science, the odds of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott being better protected with Guyton duty are better than average. And the odds of Dallas drafting an offensive lineman high seem pretty better-than-average, too.
