Offensive lineman Tyler Smith was snubbed from CBS Sports' list of the top 25 players under 25 years old in the NFL. However, that does not deflate the sky-high belief that the Dallas Cowboys have in their 2022 first-round pick.
Upon joining "America's Team", Smith moved from tackle to guard, nestling in nicely on the left side of the line - the opposite side of the center from All-Pro and future Hall of Famer Zack Martin.
Smith has channeled all the knowledge poured into him by Martin into a stellar start to his career, highlighted by an All-Pro finish in his second season protecting prized quarterback Dak Prescott.
Rankings be damned ... Tyler Smith, 24, is among the best interior offensive lineman in the NFL, and certainly among those his age.
Now with Martin retired, Smith is ushered into a unique leadership opportunity to be the physical and emotional anchor of the O-line.
He's also approaching a massive payday to prove that worth. One that could see Smith compensated at a near top-of-the-market price.
Blogging the Boys predicted Smith's extension to follow the trend of the recent explosion in offensive guard value, which could put the Cowboys in deep waters.
"With the guard market really expanding and teams taking care of their players early, four-year extensions seem to be the blueprint at the position," writer Rohan Chakravarthi noted.
Chakravarthi projects Smith to receive a massive four-year, $85 million contract with $53 million guaranteed. As of right now, that average annual salary of $21 million would be the second-richest contract for an offensive guard in the entire NFL. The guaranteed total would also rank in the top 10 of all offensive lineman.
Take that for rankings.
Obviously, this won't be easy. But Dallas has already taken the preliminary steps to prepare for this type of investment.
This offseason, the Cowboys picked up Smith's fifth-year option for 2026, locking him down in Big D for at least the next two seasons.
"The good news for Dallas is that they can spread the cap hit over six possible years, given that Smith would have the two years on his rookie deal remaining, plus the four extension years on his overall deal," Chakravarthi added.
But that's if the Cowboys get a deal done now ... and judging by their pace in progressing a Micah Parsons extension, that is unlikely.
Still, as Smith approaches the extension window, it is in owner Jerry Jones' best interest to secure him long-term amid the other looming cap gymnastics Dallas must navigate in coming years.
Smith is joined by standout contributors like Parsons, DaRon Bland, Brandon Aubrey and newcomer George Pickens in line for a new deal. Aside from Micah - who Cowboys fans have been praying reaches an inevitable agreement soon - Smith is the priority.
He is certainly deserving of the figure, but this extraordinary prediction further emphasizes the pressure the Cowboys' front office will be under in managing this deal - among others.
