FRISCO, Texas — Two things are true as the Dallas Cowboys prepared to go on the clock for the first time in the 2024 NFL Draft: they need this incoming class of rookies to hit the ground running like few classes before them have, and that the team has, more often than not, excelled at drafting eventual Pro Bowlers — hoping to add offensive tackle Tyler Guyton to that list.
With the 29th-overall pick, the Cowboys selected the former Sooner after striking a trade deal that sent the 24th-overall pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the 73rd-overall pick (third-round) and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Round 1, Tyler Guyton: OT, Oklahoma
Three things to know:
- Started his career at TCU, where he played tight end/H-back.
- Honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started 14 games at Oklahoma, 13 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle.
- Played at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Guyton heads to Dallas having spent time at TCU before transferring to Oklahoma, a Texas native who will return to his home state in 2024. In all, he's played in 29 games in his collegiate career, so there's plenty of experience in his game, and he has the flexibility to play either right or left tackle — the latter being what the Cowboys are looking for in him.
Earning an honorable All-Big 12 mention in 2023, the 6-foot-8, 322 lb. lineman allowed zero sacks in 355 snaps as a pass blocker last season, and that's nothing to sneeze at when considering the void created by the loss of future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith on Dak Prescott's blindside.
The year prior, Guyton allowed only two sacks on 400 snaps as a pass blocker, to illustrate the point further regarding his ability to protect his quarterback.
His frame is exceptional indeed, as is his ability to maneuver his mass and that makes him one of the more/most athletic offensive linemen in his class. As far as run blocking is concerned, Guyton can pull and push with the best of them, opening run lanes that are impressive more often than not.
He will need to perfect his hand placement and consistently keep his pad level low to truly become a force at the NFL level, particularly keying in on the latter, seeing as his height can be used against him in situations wherein his pads raise.
Now in the hands of Mike McCarthy, Guyton will be asked to step in immediately and impact games, and theoretically allows for the other Tyler (Smith) to remain at left guard.
