One of the offseason’s biggest question marks has turned into one of the team’s most confident players. Despite having doubts around Terence Steele at right tackle, Tyler Guyton has done everything the right way this offseason to be the left tackle of the Dallas Cowboys. Brian Schottenheimer recently discussed his resurgence.
“Probably that second week of training camp is where we were like ‘whoa.’ It was just the way the confidence that he was taking in his sets and the counters that he was countering
so when a defensive end rushes up field and tries to counter and go inside, he has the ability to move his feet inside and slam the door shut on that. Going up against different guys and watching him go up against different guys like Eze, watching him go up against RG and Malachi, and guys like that. You saw a guy that was beginning to understand the matchup element…”
When Guyton arrived in Dallas, he was a raw tackle prospect who hadn’t played the position for very long. His college career started at TCU, where he saw some action on defense, as an H-back, tight end, and occasionally along the offensive line. It wasn’t until he transferred to Oklahoma that he began the full-time switch to offensive tackle. Even then, Guyton was positioned on the right side to protect the blind side of a left-handed quarterback. Left tackle was a new challenge for him.
The first two years of his NFL career have been up and down. His biggest struggle has been availability. Guyton has played in 25 of 34 regular-season games, missing time due to injuries. Guyton’s sophomore season was almost lost before it started with a knee injury he suffered during training camp, but he found a way back to the field for Week 1.
Klayton Adams and Schottenheimer have talked about needing to see their left tackle stay on the field and not miss time. Guyton has been a warrior this offseason, staying healthy for the most part while also battling an elbow injury. That willingness to fight through the pain and be there for his team has caught the eye of his head coach.
“He’s [Guyton] been as aware of it as anybody that his availability has not been the best. He didn’t blink with the elbow and I think that’s all part of the maturation process of a young player…He’s growing fast and I say it every time you guys ask me, but I’ll say it again, I’m super proud of him.”
In his rookie season, Pro Football Focus graded Guyton at 49.4 overall. That ranked 16th out of 21 tackles from his draft class. Last year, Guyton was given a 57.4 overall grade, 14th out of 19 tackles from his class. Improvement has shown up, albeit in small increments, but the team isn’t looking to replace him.
When Dallas traded for Broderick Jones from the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was made clear to Guyton that he wouldn’t be competing with him for the starting job on the left side. Jones would be competing with Steele at right tackle. That just shows how much faith the coaches and front office have in their left tackle and his development.
“Hats off to Tyler Guyton, he’s solidified the left tackle position. He’s playing the best football he’s played since he’s been here. We have no worries or concerns about the left tackle spot.”
Where Guyton goes in year three is still to be determined, but with confidence around him being at an all-time high, the arrow can only be pointing up for what the Cowboys hope can be their long-term answer at left tackle for the foreseeable future.
