Cowboys' Tyler Smith 'Would Be First O-Lineman Taken' in 2023 Draft Says NFL Analyst

The Dallas Cowboys selection of offensive lineman Tyler Smith in last year's NFL draft raises eyebrows, but he made the left tackle spot his own in what is a credit to Dallas' development of the former Tulsa star.

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Tulsa o-lineman Tyler Smith at pick No. 24 in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft - making him the seventh offensive lineman off the board - many weren't sure he was the right choice.

But after impressing during his rookie season, it turns out he's well on his to continue proving doubters wrong.

Initially picked to play left guard (a job he won at training camp), Smith had to switch to left tackle after Tyron Smith tore his hamstring off the bone during the offseason.

The rookie went to task and became a solid starter for Dak Prescott's blind side. Such has been his progression throughout the year that NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah had nothing but glowing words to say about the left tackle's rookie season.

"That was a good pick, and a good job of developing him by the Cowboys," Jeremiah said. "He would be the first offensive linemen picked if he were to enter in the draft after what we've seen this year, the ability was all in there.

Despite his rookie success, Jeremiah made sure to mention that one of Smith's most significant issues coming into his first NFL season was his penalties.

"He needed to dial some things back a little bit obviously with the penalties that he had," he said. "Ultra, ultra aggressive, which led to some balance issues as well."

In his last season with Tulsa, Smith had 16 penalties called on him, 12 of which were holding calls. Given Dallas' lousy track record with penalties, we could understand the hesitancy with the first-round pick, even if Smith himself didn't.

But...

His penalty problem didn't translate into the NFL. While Smith still totaled 11 penalties through his 17 games (only six were holding), Jeremiah thinks that such has been his improvement, had he been in the current draft, his selection might be a bit higher than last year.

"He has played more under control," Jeremiah said. "He played great this year. When you look at his combination of athleticism, physicality, all those things, he would probably -- and I would feel pretty confident saying he would be the first offensive linemen picked in this draft."

Taken as a backup for Tyron, Tyler went about his business and made the left tackle spot his own, which forced Tyron, a surefire Hall of Famer at left tackle, to switch positions.

Initially, Smith's draft selection was questioned. But as we have seen over the years, Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay barely misses with his first-round picks, and in Tyler Smith, Dallas has continued its long-standing tradition of drafting star offensive linemen.

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