In an ideal world, the Dallas Cowboys will find a pretty simple answer to one of the most difficult questions facing the team this offseason. They need to know who, exactly, will be the left tackle in 2026, and the most comforting answer would be Tyler Guyton, the player they drafted in the first round in 2024 and who was the Week 1 starter at the position last year. Guyton has the size (6-foot-7, 322 pounds) and the agility the Cowboys want in that position. But he has not had the health and the consistency.
Guyton started last season behind the 8-ball because of a knee injury he suffered in August. He was able to get back in time to start the season, but never seemed to get his footing the way he hoped in year 2. he had other injuries along the way, and finished the season out with a high ankle sprain, having played just 10 games.
Because of that, the Cowboys moved star guard Tyler Smith, opening a four-year, $96 million contract, out to left tackle to finish the year. They’ve said all along, that’s not ideal–the team wants Smith at guard so it can play to its strength in the middle. But if Guyton can’t handle the starting left tackle role, it could well land with Smith again.
Tyler Smith Open to Replacing Tyler Guyton
Speaking on Thursday to the Dallas Morning News, Smith said he has had some heart-to-hearts with the Cowboys coaches and would not mind moving to tackle if needed. He has been a three-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro at guard, and though Smith can handle himself at tackle, it’s not his ideal position.
“We had great conversations about it,” said Smith. “I have an understanding of what it is and that’s the most I can ask for. … Obviously, I’ve got the utmost faith that we’re going to go out there and do what we’re going to do. Ultimately I’ll be in the position I need to be in. I’m good where we’re at.”
Tyler Smith’s Tune Has Changed on Cowboys Needs
That does represent a change in Smith’s outlook on his role with the Cowboys in 2026. Ultimately, Dallas’s goal is to get its five best linemen on the field, and that could mean Smith at tackle and veteran backup lineman TJ Bass at guard. Smith, earlier in the offseason, was not in favor of that.
When the prospect of moving out to tackle to replace Guyton was raised in the winter, Smith said, “I’m an All-Pro guard, bro. That’s the simple truth if we’re just looking at stuff purely off facts. So we’ll see what happens, we’ll have those conversations when we have those conversations and kind of see where everybody’s head is at.”
Cowboys Will Have LT Contenders
Again, there is time and perhaps Guyton wins back his job and plays left tackle for the Cowboys, as the team expected. Backup Nate Thomas, who struggled last year in the left tackle role as a seventh-round rookie, could show improvement and win the job, too.
It’s a longshot, but there is also fourth-round pick Drew Shelton. The Cowboys will see how quickly he develops, but he can’t be ruled out as a starter.
Said coach Brian Schottenheimer: “We really like his smooth footwork. He’s a good athlete, plays well in space. We think he is a guy that’s going to go out there and he’s got a really good understanding of angles and how to get in people’s way. We just like the traits, and we bet on a guy that’s played, I think, 34 starts. We think we can get him in here to compete with some of the guys we got.
“We’re looking forward to throwing him in the mix with Guyton and Nate Thomas and those guys. And he’ll be a left tackle that’s got some guard versatility. But we also expect him to be able to swing to the other side as well.”
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