Cowboys New Plan: No Tyron Signing; Should All-Pro Tyler Smith Be Moved?
Is a position change in the works for Dallas Cowboys young offensive lineman Tyler Smith?
Despite the pending free agency of All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame left tackle Tyron Smith, America's Team has remained coy on how they will potentially replace the eight-time Pro Bowler.
But now we know more about Tyron's decision, as it is reportedly "unlikely'' he's returning. So ...
Tyler Smith, Zack Martin
One of the names already on the roster that could fill that role is Pro Bowl left guard and former first-round pick Tyler Smith. In just his second season, Smith played both tackle and guard while having success at both spots. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and helped Dallas win the NFC East behind a resurgent offense.
Smith's success has left some wondering if the Cowboys will simply shift him to replace the older veteran in Tyron. Despite the potential conversations, Dallas isn't giving away anything just yet.
"That remains to be seen. It’s starting to feel like Larry Allen all over again,” Stephen Jones said at the 2024 Scouting Combine. "Can dominate at guard or tackle. His versatility certainly brings options to the table in terms of how we look at this team moving forward.”
Allen played with the Cowboys for 12 seasons and is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame thanks to six straight All-Pro nods, and 11 Pro Bowl nominations. For Smith to already be able to draw that comparison is no small comment. There is an incentive for Dallas to keep Smith at his natural guard position and look to replace the future Hall-of-Fame tackle elsewhere.
The Cowboys are currently over the cap with contract extensions expected to come for quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and defensive stalwart Micah Parsons. In short and in theory, there may not be enough money for the 'Boys to bring back their top tackle.
Luckily for the team, though, the current free agent class is full of solid interior offensive linemen. Guards like Kevin Dotson, Kevin Zeitler, and others have made it to the Pro Bowl on other teams. There are plenty of strong value players that could help the team in the immediate future.
If Dallas were to sign a guard in free agency, that would allow the organization to move the 22-year-old Smith to tackle without needing to break the bank or trust in an injured Tyron any more than they already have.
The options Dallas has at tackle are what leaves the Jones family with little worry. With the 24th overall pick in a deep tackle class, the 2024 NFL Draft could also be a spot where the franchise addresses the position as well. (Dallas has met formally with seven of the top tackles this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.)
And with their previous experience with drafting first-round linemen, it's a safe bet to assume they'll be able to bring in an impact player in that role as well.
The Tyler Smith question may be one that the Cowboys don't have an answer to just yet, but - even with the negative that would be the departure of Tyron - they have plenty of positive options to choose from at this point.
