Should the Dallas Cowboys move top rookie Tyler Smith?

When the Dallas Cowboys first drafted Tyler Smith with the 24th pick in the 2022 Draft, it was with the intention of him one day taking over for Tyron Smith at left tackle. As we know, an injury to Tyron in the preseason expedited that move, and future became now for the promising rookie.

With reserve tackle Josh Ball struggling and the rookie Matt Waltzko uber-raw in his development, the Cowboys felt compelled to add veteran tackle, Jason Peters, to the mix days before the season started.

Tyler Smith had zero game action at LT since being drafted, and solely focused on the guard position throughout training camp. The Dallas Cowboys really had no idea what to expect from their rookie so their interest in the 40-year-old Peters was completely understandable, if not expected.

With Jason Peters set to make his debut, the Dallas Cowboys have to decide what to do with Tyler Smith

The weak link on the Dallas O-line has unquestionably been at LG. Connor McGovern fell to injury in Week 1 and Matt Farniok has struggled to adequately replace him. Jason Peters has most recently been a LT, so the simple solution to getting the top-5 linemen on the field together is for for Peters to replace Smith at LT, and Smith moving back to LG to replace Farniok.

The only question is whether or not that’s in the best interests of Tyler Smith’s development.

the simple solution to getting the top-5 linemen on the field together is for for Peters to replace Smith at LT, and Smith moving back to LG to replace Farniok.

If Tyler Smith really is the future at LT (and I think we’ve seen enough good things from him to think that’s still the plan), then isn’t it better for his growth to be getting LT reps, now? In other words, don’t we want the growing pains sooner rather than later? 

Another option to consider is replacing Terence Steele at RT. If Jason Peters can play the right side, Tyler Smith could stay on the left and continue his development. And with Connor McGovern expected back in the next few weeks, the Farniok situation is only a temporary hurdle to deal with.

Steele was abysmal in Week 1 and he was categorically average in 2021, so he’s certainly not above reproach. The coaching staff supports Steele and he rebounded against Cincy so I think such a shuffle is unlikely at this point. But if McGovern is a better LG than Steele is a RT, then this move would set up the Dallas Cowboys to have the best five linemen on the field when McGovern is healthy again at mid-season.

This is less about what’s going to happen and more about what should happen. Because nothings more entertaining than questioning the decisions of leadership, right?

What move sets the Cowboys up to be the best team today?

What move sets them up to be the best team in December?

What about next season?

The answer to each question could all be different. That’s what we want to think about today. Does a short-term solution hurt the team down the road or are players more flexible in their position changes than we realize?

Sound off in the comments or hit us up on Twitter to discuss because the moves today could have last effects on the team.