Tyler Smith's Recent Comments Reveal Cowboys Draft Plans
The Dallas Cowboys have to address their offensive line needs at the 2024 NFL Draft.
By Cem Yolbulan
The Dallas Cowboys lost plenty of starting talent this offseason. The offensive line will especially look very different next season with the longest-tenured Cowboy Tyron Smith no longer protecting Dak Prescott's blindside. The questions about who his replacement will be has been a major point of discussion ever since the veteran signed with the New York Jets.
As we approach the NFL Draft and next season, we are getting a better idea about how the Cowboys are planning to replace him. Fellow offensive lineman Tyler Smith offered us an insight about the status of the offensive line, giving a hint about what the Cowboys' draft priorities may be.
Cowboys News: Tyler Smith's Comments Signal an Offensive Tackle Addition
#Cowboys Tyler Smith on “The 8th Round Podcast” with Brock Hoffman, answering a fan question about his preference to play tackle or guard this season.
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 12, 2024
Smith’s willingness to play wherever speaks volumes of his character 🤟
Full ep: https://t.co/EHpaLwBCNf#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/pyVr1zcqhr
One of the options the Cowboys were discussing at left tackle was moving their 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith there. The 23-year-old played at left tackle in his rookie season before moving over to left guard for the 2023 campaign, grading excellently there on PFF. Smith and Zack Martin make one of the best guard duos in the league for the Cowboys.
When asked about this potential move back to tackle on the "8th Round Podcast" with Brock Hoffman, Smith said he was "the starting left guard of the Dallas Cowboys".
As a true professional, Smith obviously said that he is willing to play wherever he is needed. But the fact that he said he is still the guard signals a potential addition at tackle.
There are still free agents available that the Cowboys can target as a short-term flyer. However, if the Cowboys want to solve their offensive line issues once and for all, they will need to address it at the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dallas has the 24th overall pick in the draft and there are high-level tackle prospects like JC Latham, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and Troy Fautanu who could be available there. Smith's comments indicate that the Cowboys might be targeting one of these players with their first-round selection.
Regardless of what the Cowboys do in the 2024 NFL Draft, they will begin the season as the NFC East favorites. On FanDuel Sportsbook, they have the best odds (+125) to win the division.
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