Tyron Smith Leaving Cowboys: Rank Among All-Time Offensive Linemen?

Tyron Smith is departing the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, and leaving behind a legacy as a Top 10 offensive linemen in franchise history.

FRISCO - With Tyron Smith set to leave the Dallas Cowboys and test the free agent market this month, it's - sadly - time to frame his career with America's Team.

Drafted with the 9th overall pick in 2011, Smith crafted a career that will surely land him in the team's Ring of Honor and likely the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Five-time first- and second-team All-Pro. Eight Pro Bowls. A member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.

For the better part of his 13-year career in Dallas, he was the best - or at least in the conversation - left tackle in the NFL. Like other Cowboys before him - DeMarcus Ware, Tony Romo and Jason Witten quickly come to mind - Smith amassed the individual accolades despite a glaring lack of team success.

He paved the way for two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott and protected a quarterback (Dak Prescott) who finished second in MVP voting and a receiver (CeeDee Lamb) who broke almost every franchise single-season record.

He didn't, however, play in even as much as an NFC Championship Game.

We can - and will - debate whether the Cowboys should keep the 33-year-old oft-injured veteran who's coming off arguably one of his best seasons, but there's no argument about his place among the best offensive linemen in Cowboys history.

10. Flozell Adams 1998-2009 - Underrated because he became head coach Bill Parcells' favorite target for criticism, he made five Pro Bowl teams.

9. Travis Frederick 2013-19 - Sadly, the career of the most dominant center in Cowboys' history was cut short by Guillain–Barré syndrome. He made five consecutive Pro Bowls before succumbing to the disease and retiring after seven seasons.

8. Ralph Neely 1965-67 - Became a starter at tackle as a rookie and went on to earn a spot on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team by making four All-Pros, two Pro Bowls and winning two Super Bowls.

7. Nate Newton 1986-98 - Despite battling weight issues his entire career, won three Super Bowl rings in the 1990s while making All-Pro twice and the Pro Bowl six times.

6. John Niland 1966-74 - Made three All-Pro teams and six Pro Bowls and started Dallas' Super Bowl VI win as a dominant left guard.

5. Tyron Smith 2011-23 - Leaving the Cowboys this season, but he'll back for induction into the Ring of Honor and for a date in Canton.

4. Erik Williams 1991-2000 - Despite having to battle Hall of Fame pass-rusher Reggie White and suffering major injuries in a car accident, he opened holes for all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith and won three Super Bowl rings on his way to three All-Pros and four Pro Bowls.

3. Zack Martin 2014-Present - You make more Pro Bowl teams than you allow sacks and you've sealed your paths to the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame. One of the best guards in football history, he made the Pro Bowl his first six seasons and nine of 10 overall.

Cowboys BREAKING: Tyron Smith ‘Unlikely’ to Sign with Dallas; Legend to NFL Free Agency

2. Rayfield Wright 1967-79 - The anchor for the Cowboys' first five Super Bowl appearances, he was drafted as a tight end but wound up making six Pro Bowls and six All-Pros on his way to Canton.

1. Larry Allen 1994-2005 - Widely considered one of the greatest linemen in NFL history, he had the power to bench press 700 pounds and chase down opponents 40 yards from the line of scrimmage. He made 11 Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams, won a Super Bowl ring, made NFL All-Decade teams in the '90s and '00s and the 100th Anniversary Team, and resides in both the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.

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