Since 2011, the Dallas Cowboys knew that when healthy, Tyron Smith was their starting left tackle, and they didn’t have to waste another second thinking about it. However, fast forward to today, and with Smith now with the New York Jets, Dallas no longer has that luxury to lean on.
The Cowboys head into 2024 looking to find answers to solidify the most important position on the offensive line — who will be protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside in 2024 and beyond? We examine their options both on the roster and in the draft by analyzing the Cowboys’ left tackle situation.
What’s the Dallas Cowboys’ Plan at Left Tackle?
Smith heading out of Dallas always seemed possible, especially with word that they were not close when it came to compensation packages for the future Hall of Famer. But now that it happened, the Cowboys are left thinking, what now?
One in-house option that seems to be a popular choice is to move Tyler Smith to left tackle after his All-Pro season at left guard. In his rookie season, Tyler did step in for an injured Tyron Smith in Week 1 and performed admirably in his first year in the NFL.
With an excellent season now in the rearview and the idea that he’s going to be the core piece of the Cowboys’ offensive line going forward, many are quick to suggest that Tyler Smith moving back out to tackle could be the easy solution for 2024 and beyond. Whether the team is committed to doing so or not, remains up in the air.
Head coach Mike McCarthy met with the media at the NFL Owners Meeting last week and gave a peak into the team’s thought process for Smith and the LT spot as a whole.
“We’ll keep him at guard right now, see how it unfolds. …As of today. Let’s fill out the room, and then we’ll look at it,” McCarthy started. “We’d like to continue adding to that.”
Sounds like McCarthy and the Cowboys are leaving space for any scenario to unfold. It may not be the main option right now, but moving Smith to that premium spot is certainly something that is still on the table.
Could the Cowboys Draft an Offensive Tackle in Round 1?
Smith is an option, but it may not be the Cowboys’ preferred one. All offseason long, Dallas has been linked to early-round offensive tackles in the draft. And if the Cowboys have it their way, that’s how the board will fall for them in Round 1.
A lot will need to unfold on Night 1 of the draft, but for the Cowboys, a dream scenario could include a prospect such as Troy Fautanu from Washington, or Olumuyiwa Fashanu from Penn State falling into their laps. How likely that is, however, remains to be seen. Both prospects are highly regarded and expected to go anywhere in the top 20 of the draft.
Even outside of those two names, adding a player such as Alabama’s JC Latham or Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton may also allow for them to keep Smith at left guard to build on his All-Pro season.
Dallas could even look at Amarius Mims out of Georgia, who is viewed by some as a right tackle prospect, but could look to have him flip sides based on traits and ability shown on film. The Cowboys could possibly target Arizona’s Jordan Morgan if they feel like reaching a bit in Round 1, or moving back later to collect draft collateral and still get their guy if they so choose.
Yes, it’s a risk to hope that your left tackle of the future is going to fall in your lap in the first round. But under the approach the Cowboys chose to handle free agency and the lack of activity there, it may be the best of their available options.
Any way it shakes out, the Cowboys currently feel comfortable with some combination on the offensive line that includes a hopefully formidable piece manning the left tackle spot. And while we don’t have all the answers and configurations right now, the clues are all around us for how just this vastly different this OL group may look in 2024.
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