‘Godzilla!' Tyron Smith Signs With Jets; Could Cowboys Take Arizona's Jordan Morgan in NFL Draft?
Dak Prescott's blindside will be protected by someone not named Tyron Smith in 2024 as the Dallas Cowboys veteran is walking out the door this offseason to sign a one-year deal with the New York Jets ... where he will be Aaron Rodgers' protector.
“I feel like it’s going to be amazing,'' said Tyron of his coming work with the four-time MVP and long-time Cowboys nemesis Rodgers. "Of course me being with Dallas, he’s kicked our butts twice in the playoffs (as the leader of the Packers) ... so I know what he's capable of.
"Honestly, I’m just excited about the opportunity.”
With Smith's durability issues, the thought of relying on his battle-tested body for another season seemed like a bridge too far for Dallas - especially if the "up to $20 million'' number given him by the Jets is accurate - and now the franchise will look for his replacement.
With Tyler Smith on the roster (who was thought to be Tyron's replacement when drafted), the Cowboys have a stud they might want to leave at left guard. So, in a draft that is loaded with talented linemen, there is sense in mocking Arizona's Jordan Morgan to The Star in the first round with the No. 24 overall pick.
"If you're a connoisseur of line play, go ahead and put on the Arizona offense versus the UCLA defense and watch Morgan go head-to-head with Laiatu Latu," CBS Sports writes. "It's just as good as Godzilla vs. Kong. The Cowboys take Morgan as a Tyron Smith replacement."
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In Morgan, Dallas would get a mauler in the run game as the 6-5, 311-pound stud explodes off the line of scrimmage and gets to the second level in a flash. While his run-game blocking is adequate, it is his ability as a pass protector that stands out.
With the Cowboys, in Mike McCarthy's "Texas Coast Offense" being more pass-oriented last season due to lack of a run game, we saw that when Dak had time to throw, good things happened.
When Tyron was out of the lineup, there was a glaring weakness at left tackle as Chuma Edoga couldn't nail down a spot and Prescott was often harassed and hurried.
Now, as the draft comes into view, Morgan could prove to be a good option to replace Tyron and form a solid duo with Tyler Smith, who could stay at guard.
While his ACL tear back in 2022 could be a cause for concern, Morgan squashed those concerns as he earned first-team All-PAC-12 honors with Arizona in 2023.
It is a defining offseason for the Cowboys and while there are other pressing needs on defense, Dallas simply has to address the offensive line issues, and with Morgan, in this guess, Prescott gets a new protector. ...
While Tyron finds somebody new to protect.
