The biggest news to this point of the Dallas Cowboys offseason broke yesterday; the team is unlikely to bring All-Pro Tyron Smith back in 2024.
This ends a 13-year tenure in Dallas for the future Hall of Famer, opening up a massive weakness at left tackle.
The talk now is whether Dallas will shift All-Pro Guard Tyler Smith out to left tackle.
Another option for the Cowboys is to fill Smith’s shoes at left tackle with a rookie in the first round, considering just how talented the tackle class is in this draft. There could be up to nine tackles taken in the first round this year.
We have seen how good Dallas is at developing offensive linemen, and their confidence in building up one of these prospects may be the real reason behind moving on from Smith.
I have no doubt that money is an issue for them, even though it does not need to be, but it is far from a coincidence that they are moving on now with as stacked as this offensive tackle class is.
Three tackle prospects in particular make the most sense for Dallas as they start the search for Smith’s successor.
Let’s take a look at these three first-round options for the Cowboys.
Amarius Mims, Georgia
If Dallas is looking for a Smith clone to replace him, they should do everything they can to get former Georgia Bulldog, Amarius Mims.
Earlier today, Mims measured in at the combine 6’7″, 340 lbs, with an 86.75″ wing span and 11.25″ hands.
If you aren’t too familiar with combine measurements, just know those numbers are insane.
Mims is a mountain of a man, and just like Smith, his 340 lbs frame looks more like 250 lbs because it is simply all muscle.
It is more than just size and muscle when it comes to Mims as well; he has a ton of raw talent and athleticism. He is expected to be one of the most talked about stories from the combine after he tests today, so keep an eye out for that.
On the real football field, Mims is raw and not all that experienced.
He is one of the youngest players in the draft and does not have a ton of snaps under his belt in college.
Yet, the tape he does have is really good and filled with potential. It seems Dallas knows he could be the one to target too; they used one of their formal interviews on Mims earlier this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The question is going to be whether or not he gets to Dallas at 24 after he dominates the combine.
If he does get to 24, you can bet the house he will have a star on his helmet next season.
Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
There are few things Jerry Jones likes more than being able to draft a Texas native.
In this case, former Oklahoma Sooner Tyler Guyton from Manor, TX checks that box and many more.
Guyton is similar to Mims with his incredible athleticism and monster size; he measured in this morning at nearly 6’8″ with an 82″ wingspan. He is massive.
He is another guy that Dallas used a formal visit on, so the interest is there, and for good reason. Guyton is more likely to reach the 24th pick than Mims, and he is a lot more experienced.
Guyton is a senior, and he dominated at the Senior Bowl.
He can play both tackle spots, which could be useful if Dallas does ultimately switch Smith from guard to left tackle, or if Terence Steele continues to struggle in the future.
There is no doubt that Guyton will go in the first round, and his fit in Dallas is perfect.
Jordan Morgan, Arizona
If the first two guys here go off the board before the Cowboys have a chance at them, you can expect them to go with Jordan Morgan from Arizona.
Morgan is far from a consolation prize. It just so happens that this tackle class is loaded.
He is the smallest guy out of these three, if you can even say that considering he is still over 6’5″ and 311 lbs, but he is easily the most polished and NFL-ready between him, Mims, and Guyton.
He has all the athleticism you need at the position, plus 35 games of experience in college at left tackle.
The pass protection skills in particular are really impressive, and that is going to be the most important trait for whoever is protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside in 2024.
In true pass sets (not play-action or an RPO), he allowed just one sack in the last two years.
In terms of replacing a future Hall of Fame left tackle, you can’t ask for much more from a rookie than what Morgan can give you. Consistent, reliable pass blocking from the blindside with the potential to become elite.
It is all but guaranteed Dallas will draft an offensive lineman in the first round, and any of these three would be a home run at 24.