Tyron Smith: Cowboys' Make-Or-Break Player? Minicamp Preview - Offense

Are the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations reliant upon veteran offensive lineman Tyron Smith?

This season could be the year that the Dallas Cowboys finally go all the way to the Super Bowl, but some think their success could be dependent upon veteran offensive lineman Tyron Smith. Of course, before CowboysSI.com puts that sort of label on him, first we need to figure out what his job is going to be in 2023, a concept that continues as the Cowboys open their three-day minicamp on Tuesday at The Star.

Upon entering the league in 2011, Smith asserted himself as a force, making eight Pro Bowls from 2013 to 2021, four All-Pro teams, and being named a member of the HOF All-2010s team.

A recent article by Bleacher Report highlighted Smith as the player who could make or break Dallas’ championship aspirations.

“The Cowboys may be replete with skill-position talent, but it won’t matter if the line can’t hold up. And the key to that line - the player that used to be its linchpin - is veteran tackle Tyron Smith,” BR said.

The problem with that thinking? Tyron might be the right tackle this year (as he finished a season ago), as has been the case during OTAs. Or in theory, he might end up not being a starter at all. ... though that seems increasingly unlikely with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Monday talking about another right tackle, Terence Steele, as if he might be the guy to be moved.

“I’m liking his flex that we’re mentally thinking about,'' Jones said of Steele, first about his versatility and then ... "I think the fact that those tall guys with that kind of length, arm length especially — I like the fact that they haven’t been ruled out inside. I see how that can work.”

"Inside.'' Meaning maybe the rehabbing Steele ends up at a brand new spot as the left guard, with Tyler Smith remaining at left tackle.

So far in offseason work, Tyler and Tyron have been the tackles. Zack Martin is at right guard, of course, with Tyler Biadasz as the center. And then a bit of a surprise, with Matt Farniok getting most of the first-team work at left guard. But on Tuesday to open minicamp? A smart change, with Tyron at left tackle and Tyler at left guard.

Pro Football Focus has ranked the Dallas offensive line fifth in the NFL entering 2023. In order for Smith to help the Cowboys reach the big dance, he’ll need to prove he’s still got gas left in the tank, especially after being limited to four starts last season due to a torn hamstring.

At age 32, Smith played well below his standard in 2022, receiving a rating of 58.6 from PFF, a drastic fall from his 91.4 rating in his 2021 Pro Bowl season. 

If Dallas hopes to reach the big dance this season, the success of Smith and the offensive line as a whole is paramount. Quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off the worst season of his career, and rusher Tony Pollard is inheriting lead running back duties for the first time. 

Pollard, still rehabbing from injury but planning to be ready to start camp at the end of July, could get some light work today. Dallas is also using Ronald Jones, Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle at running back. A pair of rookies, Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke, are worth watching as well.

The top three receivers - CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup - are locked in. The Cowboys continue to tout Jalen Tolbert as a top candidate for the next slot as he battles with Simi Fehoko and others.

At tight end, rookie Luke Schoonmaker recently had a walking boot on his right foot. No serious issue there, we're told, but we will monitor as Jake Ferguson leads "The Four Horsemen'' at work today.

Whether blocking in the run game or protecting the quarterback, how Smith performs in the aftermath of his 2022 injury might help dictate the ceiling of this Cowboys team. ... but first, Dallas needs to figure out where all these offensive linemen are going to play.

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You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

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