The Dallas Cowboys have taken Tulsa OL Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick. It’s a pick some of us saw coming but never wanted to believe.
With better prospects on the board, including edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and center Tyler Linderbaum, I’m not sure why Dallas went this route. The offensive line was a position of need in this draft, but Smith is a second-round talent picked in the first round. He’s an aggressive blocker, especially in the run game, but this seems like too high of a reach.
Smith’s technique isn’t quite there yet, he’s prone to penalties and he’ll need more development to become a bonafide starter in the NFL. He’s got some potential, but guys like Linderbaum don’t need as much development as him.
Tyler Smith was called for 12 penalties in 12 games last season, after being flagged 7 times in 14 games from 2019-20; his 12 flags were the 3rd most in the FBS among offensive linemen. Cowboys OL flagged a league-high 49 times last season
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) April 29, 2022
Smith could be a great offensive lineman. However, given where he was taken, this is not a great pick.
Grade: D-
Most Cowboys fans and commentators are split on the pick. Here’s how some of them reacted to it:
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— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) April 29, 2022
I'd much rather have La'el Collins plus an EDGE or Linderbaum over Tyler Smith at 24, but that's just me
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 29, 2022
A lot of negativity around the pick and I fully admit that I don’t know much about the kid but I remind myself that everyone hated the Travis Fredrick kick too.
— Nick Herrera (@Nick_Herrera34) April 29, 2022
Jermaine Johnson was RIGHT THERE
— 🍢WedgeBuster🍢 (@WedgeBuster88) April 29, 2022
Tyler Smith instantly adds attitude to your Oline.
I’m good 😎
— (Foots The King) (@FootsDaKing) April 29, 2022
I am reserving judgement
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) April 29, 2022
— JESSE (With No “i”) (@Mr4thAndLong) April 29, 2022
We may have to stop calling this team a top three drafting team tbh
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) April 29, 2022
Everyone is bringing up the penalties concern with Tyler Smith – yes, he’s raw. But I think moving him to LG will help accentuate his strengths and mask his weaknesses.
Just turned 21 and his best football is ahead of him. Low floor for sure, but definitely has a high ceiling.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) April 29, 2022
My issue with this is the totality of how we got here.
The Cowboys have not taken any serious measures towards fixing their team and are banking on a lot of improbable things happening for them in 2022.
They painted themselves into a corner and are in no way out of it. https://t.co/STExpYSyfM
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 29, 2022
This pick has jerry and his retarded son Stephen written all over it! This pick left the sportscasters speechless ! Nothing
Smith was fagged 16 times (12 for holding) in 12 games. On the surface, picked too early, with better prospects, ESPECIALLY DE J Johnson, still on the board. Surprised the hell out of me.
But hopefully Cowboy coaches can “clean up” his somewhat troubling, now well documented negatives, as he appears to have some very good positives to his game. Low floor, high ceiling = quintessential BOOM or BUST. Time will tell.
Now they have to work extra hard the rest of the draft, as the other NFC East teams appear to have gotten better first round results.
Ok everyone chill. He is the best run blocker at guard bye far. He played at left tackle most of the year and he is projected to play left guard. Absolute mauler and mean as hell his penalties were those of aggression. We can either get a grip and realize that we will NOT win in the playoffs if we can not RUN the ball or stop the RUN. Or we can complain about not getting the sexy pick. Philly is the biggest threat in our division and they just picked up the monster Jordan Davis. No way in hell do we run against them with another light in the ass free agent guard.