Cowboys guard Tyler Smith opens up on development of first-round rookie Tyler Guyton

The Dallas Cowboys’ first day of padded practice in Oxnard was a big one for the team in terms of evaluating where the players stand in their preparation for the 2024 season. Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton took the bulk of the reps with the first team with veteran Chuma Edoga also working into the first-team rotation. Tyler Smith, who started at left tackle in his rookie season two years ago, came away from Day 1 in pads impressed with his young line mate and his development thus far.

“I’ve been truly impressed,” Smith said, via Jon Machota. “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. When he really becomes confident and gets the playbook down and does all that stuff, the sky is truly is the limit for him and his development.

“He’s a confident guy,” Smith added. “He knows the tools that he has. He knows how rare they are. It’s just a matter of time before he solidifies things and he’s playing at that truly elite, elite level.”

While running with the first team, the former Oklahoma standout worked against one of the league’s best pass rushers – Micah Parsons. Parsons wasn’t taking it easy on his rookie teammate but Guyton managed to hold his own, as proven in this clip from Tuesday’s practice:

Micah Parsons vs. Tyler Guyton pic.twitter.com/db6wXND26d

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 30, 2024

Guyton ready for switch from right to left tackle

Guyton wasn’t taking any shortcuts as he prepared this spring to take over the left tackle spot in Dallas. During OTAs, the former Sooners star opened up about the work he did to switch from right tackle, where he played at Oklahoma, to left tackle.

“We’re polishing my technique, becoming a better o-lineman anyway that I can,” Guyton said. “We all have the same common goal and that’s to maximize me as a player. Everything we can possibly do to make me better is what we’re doing.”

Guyton has top-shelf guards to help him along in Smith and All-Pro Zach Martin. Smith is just a year removed from doing what the former Oklahoma star will attempt to do, which is start at left tackle in Year 1.

“That was the most exciting thing for me, honestly,” Guyton said of playing beside Tyler Smith. “I get a guard that’s a dog. I love how he plays. Love how we’re in the same situation as him last year and I feel like we’re going to thrive together. I love his nasty edge and his ferocious mentality and hopefully, I can piggyback off of him.”