Should Cowboys Retire Free Agent Tyron Smith, Move Star Tyler Smith?
Father Time is undefeated, and while Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith has given it a run for its money, the cracks in his foundation may lead America’s Team to move on.
Still one of the best left tackles in the game, the case to bring Smith back is on the field. Few are playing at a higher level than Smith, even at 33 years old. However, Smith hasn’t played a full season’s worth of games since 2015 and has missed extensive time in two of the last four seasons. At his price tag, Dallas could pivot and move to get younger at the position. He's an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
In doing so, the Cowboys will be faced with three options: acquiring a cheaper veteran via trade or free agency, drafting a left tackle, or drafting a guard and sliding left guard Tyler Smith into the incumbent’s spot.
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The younger Smith, the 24th selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, has blossomed into a star of his own, following in the footsteps of the tackle to his left and right guard Zack Martin. Moving him over to left tackle would be the worst process decision of the three.
This isn’t meant to spit in the name of positional value and say that left tackle is less important than other spots up front or that poor protection on the blindside can’t sink an otherwise talented offense. But through two seasons, the Dallas faithful have seen Smith play both positions. His performance has made it clear that he is the left guard of the future.
Replacing Tyron Smith, who missed 13 games in 2022, Tyler Smith pivoted over to left tackle. He performed admirably, ranking 23rd among qualified tackles, per Pro Football Focus. However, the rookie graded out as mediocre in pass protection – ranking 43rd of 57 tackles with 660 blocking snaps. His performance against the run boosted his value, which is fine, but isn’t what teams are paying left tackles to do.
Tyler Smith also led offensive linemen in penalties with 15. He can get a little reckless with his hands, an issue that hasn’t gone away inside. Asking him to block edge rushers on a full-time basis is a recipe for a frustrating amount of flags.
Tyler Smith moved back to left guard in his second season and the results were fruitful. He graded out as the 27th-best lineman in football, committed two fewer penalties (still the third-most among linemen), and proved to be a better pass protector inside. He owned Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter in their first clash. In all, he would finish (by PFF) as the ninth-best guard and the 13th-best pass protector at the position.
The second-year lineman developed into a legitimate stud, and that’s worth holding on to. Development is rarely linear, but a position switch is a dangerous game. His level of play inside is worth the drop off in positional value, and with the gauntlet of interior linemen Dallas is projected to face, the offense likely won’t be missing out on the opportunity cost of playing him at tackle.
Of course, the fate of the Cowboys’ offensive line largely lies in what they do at left tackle.
If Tyron Smith returns, so be it, it’s a happy ending for both parties (though tackle depth will be important). If not, getting a good starter – and not going cheap at the position – is important, should free agency be the answer. If they take the issue to April and the NFL Draft, their attention should be focused on a true tackle prospect, and not a hybrid that opens the door for Tyler Smith to move over.
Finding superstar talent on the offensive line will loom large as Tyron Smith and Martin age out of the league. They may already have one at left guard.
