Tyler Smith praises rookie lineman Tyler Guyton: 'We could play together for a really, really long time'

The Dallas Cowboys have put intense focus on maintaining an elite level of offensive line play for quarterback Dak Prescott. By drafting Tyler Smith in the first round last year and then Tyler Guyton in the first round this year, the Cowboys have potentially stabilized the group for seasons to come.

Ahead of Guyton’s first training camp, Smith is all-in on his new teammate. The first-rounder out of Oklahoma shined on tape, according to Smith, who made a concerted effort to check out his rookie minicamp practices. Playing with him during OTAs and mandatory minicamp only solidified his opinion.

“I watched the rookie minicamp tape,” Smith told the Dallas Morning News. “I was extremely impressed with his movement skills. His speed off the ball, his length. As he learns the offense and gets faster and faster, he’s going to evolve at a staggering rate.

“But he has a really good starting point right now. His upside is high – it’s really high. We could play together for a really, really long time.”

A “really, really” long time is exactly what Cowboys fans are hoping for from the former Sooners star. The team needs him to fill massive shoes this year as a rookie following the departure of veteran Tyron Smith.

Tyler Smith is just Guyton’s newest fan. His offensive line coach at Oklahoma, Bill Bedenbaugh, has coached some of the league’s best offensive linemen in recent years, but he believes the young Cowboys player is truly special.

“He’s the most talented guy I’ve ever coached,” Bedenbaugh said. “Change of direction, movement, length – it’s just everything. I mean, the dude’s made to be an offensive tackle.”

Guyton ready for switch from right to left tackle

Guyton isn’t taking any shortcuts as he prepares to take over the left tackle spot in Dallas. During OTAs, the former Sooners star opened up about the work he’s been doing 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.”

The Dallas offensive line allowed a five-year high of 39 sacks on Prescott last season. However, with their new first-rounder in the mix, they could see big improvement soon.