Did the Dallas Cowboys just find their next great left tackle?
Rookie Tyler Guyton — the 29th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — suited up with the starting offense in the team's first padded practice on Tuesday. Surprisingly, he held his own against edge-rusher Micah Parsons, a two-time first-team All-Pro.
While it's only one practice, the 23-year-old Guyton keeping one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL at bay is an excellent sign for the Cowboys.
"It's not very often that you find a human being who measures how he does [6-foot-7, 330 pounds] and has light feet and can just move and just bully dudes," Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith said of Guyton following practice, via The Athletic's Jon Machota. "It's just a matter of time before he solidifies things and he's playing at that truly elite, elite level."
This offseason, the Cowboys let free-agent left tackle Tryon Smith leave and sign with the New York Jets. The eight-time Pro Bowler battled injuries over the past couple of seasons, which may be one reason Dallas let him walk.
In 2022, the 33-year-old missed 13 games due to a hamstring injury. Last season, the Cowboys modified his practice schedule, but he still missed four games with knee and back issues.
If Guyton stays on the right track, he could fill Smith's shoes and help the Cowboys maintain a strong O-line. The position group helped them win their third NFC East title in three years last season.
Per Pro Football Reference, it registered the league's fifth-lowest pressure rate (16.6%) in 2023.
