Tyler Smith describes emotions of receiving phone call from Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys chose to address their most glaring hole on Day One of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting Tulsa offensive tackle Tyler Smith with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round. Already becoming a fan-favorite for his enthusiasm and excitement to join the team, the 6-foot-4, 324-pound man has continued to show off his infectious personality.

During his introductory press conference, Tyler Smith described the emotions of reaching his NFL dreams with the Dallas Cowboys and provided an behind the scenes look at his Thursday night from start to finish.

“It was definitely, probably the best day of my life,” said Smith. “Pound-for-pound I can’t think of anything better. Just to hear the phone call and have it be – you see the star on top of your phone – and you’re looking there, because there’s a delay on the TV, not many people tell you. But I see him on the phone, I’m like ‘he ain’t calling me,’ so I’m like ‘dang, I’m just waiting my turn.’ Then I see it pop up, I answer, and I hear coach (Jerry) Jones here.

“I hear him and it’s just like, it doesn’t even hit you until you go home and you go to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and my phone was still going off. I’m like ‘wow, I’m really a Dallas Cowboy’ so it’s the biggest blessing I’ve ever had in my life and I think I’ll make the most of it.”

Cowboys executives defend pick

After facing criticism from the media for the selection of Tyler Smith, the Cowboys continue to defend their process at every turn, even taking time to compare the players drafted before and after their turn.

During a radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay addressed why the team chose Tyler Smith over Tyler Linderbaum.

“Linderbaum is a really, really good player,” said McClay, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “I don’t want to discount his ability for anything. But when you look at what you’re trying to build, certain players fit into certain schemes better. That’s why people’s draft boards look different. That’s why people will have – the New England Patriots drafted the guys from UT-Chattanooga (Cole Strange) because you see something in that player that fits you better than what outside forces think. What is important for us is to be able to move people in the run game and be able to anchor in the pass game.”

The talk came after Jerry Jones revealed the team’s draft board in an attempt to defend the pick to media members immediately following the draft pick. His son Stephen Jones has also taken time to discuss the pick.