2022 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. fires off on Cowboys' selection of Tyler Smith

The Dallas Cowboys had to fill a need on their offensive line during the 2022 NFL Draft. They found their man in Tyler Smith with the No. 24 overall pick — but ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. didn’t seem too sold on him.

Kiper ripped the selection, saying Smith needs some coaching if he wants to be a successful offensive lineman in the NFL. He admitted there’s plenty of talent in there, he thinks the Tulsa product will be a project for the Cowboys to develop.

“Tyler Smith just made sense,” Kiper said. “He’s a left tackle, he’s going to be a right tackle. That’s the hole that needs to be filled. Another guy who needs coaching. We talked about a lot of mean, nasty linemen this year. I think this has been the best year for that. That’s Tyler Smith. This guy will beat you up. But technique, hand placement, not good. First step, not good. He’s got to settle in, he’s got to be coached up, get much better technique. Plays big, he’s powerful. He’s 6-4 and a half, 324 pounds with incredibly long arms. Guard tackle in high school. Sloppy right now. Had 16 penalties — he grabs, he holds. Even at the collegiate level where you can get away with a lot of stuff, he couldn’t get away with it.

“In the NFL, he’s a penalty waiting to happen until he’s coached up. Maybe he won’t be ready this year, but it’s up to the offensive line coach with this football team with the Cowboys to get him ready to be that right tackle. If he’s ready as a rookie, that’s remarkable coaching because he’s got work to do. But the talent, guys, is in abundance and you’ve got to love the physicality with which he plays.”

Dallas Cowboys select Tyler Smith in first round of 2022 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys have selected Tyler Smith out of Tulsa with the 24th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Coming into the weekend, the Cowboys have needed help at the offensive guard and tackle spots after losing Connor Williams to the Dolphins via free agency, who was last season’s starting left guard. Starting right tackle La’el Collins is a Bengal after being released last month after being the starter since coming into the league in 2015. They’re now turning to Smith, the former Golden Hurricane, to fill that need.