Mike McCarthy reveals early impressions of first round pick Tyler Smith

Mike McCarthy has been impressed with Cowboys first round selection Tyler Smith since Dallas brought the former Tulsa offensive lineman to Dallas.

Evidently, Smith continues to do all the right things, as McCarthy explained while speaking with the media.

“His physical nature, Tyler Smith, is everything we thought it was,” began McCarthy. “He’s having a good camp for a young guy, but I mean I look at Tyler — I look at all our young players particularly, the defensive end, the offensive front, this is what they need. The footwork. The pad level. The fits and so forth. Playing full speed, and the recognition of what the defense is trying to do. So he’s definitely had a couple of looks that he hasn’t had yet, as far as particularly as Micah [Parsons] blitzing in the a-gap and things like that.

“So doing a lot of good things, but he needs to work, just like we all do.”

Moreover, Smith was an under the radar prospect coming out of high school in 2019, but quickly developed into an anchor for the Tulsa offensive line. Last season as a starter at left tackle, he helped the Golden Hurricane pass protection rank 39th in the FBS in sack rate (5.4%).

Some have speculated he may move inside to left guard in the NFL, but either way it’s clear the Cowboys got a talented piece for the future regardless.

Mike McCarthy evaluates the growth he’s seen from Cowboys quarterback Will Grier

The Dallas Cowboys have their starting quarterback set in stone with Dak Prescott, but there are questions beyond him at the position. Cooper Rush and Will Grier are currently competing to be the Cowboys backup quarterback, and Grier has opened some eyes with his performance during training camp so far.

Grier is entering his second season as a member of the Cowboys after joining the team in September of 2021. He did not play in a game last season, but Grier has shown a lot of growth as the season nears. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about what he has liked about Grier in camp so far after practice on Saturday.

“I think Will has taken a big step,” McCarthy said during Cowboys training camp. “I mean you can see the instinct and awareness. Coming out of college I think that was something that jumped out for him. Will has played a lot of quarterback, came out of the womb playing quarterback for his dad. So now you’re starting to see that in his comfort in our system in getting through the checks and where to go with the ball.

“He’s just playing quarterback again. I think coming here when he did last year, there’s definitely transition through the terminology, the language and all those types of things. But I really like the camp he’s had. He’s definitely made a move this week.”