The potential of Tyler Smith is as high as the sky, and Stephen Jones clearly understands that.
The NFL Scouting Combine started this week, and Jones met with reporters and was bombarded with questions all of us have been waiting to have answered since the playoff loss to the Packers.
Larry Allen 2.0?
Jones spoke about how the front office is viewing the possibility of moving Smith back outside, where he spent his rookie season.
In doing so, he said it’s starting to feel like Larry Allen all over again.
“The great thing about Tyler is his versatility, he could be a great left tackle, too. At the end of the day when we’re through massaging it, we’ll have a good spot for him. His versatility certainly brings options as we look at this team moving forward.”
Let’s maybe slow down on that just a bit, Allen is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his name is in the Cowboys Ring of Honor, and is one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play this game.
Yes, Smith is off to a great start, and over the years, the Cowboys have done one thing better than anyone.
Drafting a great offensive lineman.
Inside Or Outside?
As a rookie, Smith ranked 23rd among qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Smith then moved back inside and ranked top-10 as the ninth-best guard in all of football last year.
He made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro.
Let’s keep him inside, please.
Smith is a far better pass protector while inside, and again, let’s pump the breaks on the Larry Allen comparison, let’s start with Zack Martin first, another future Hall of Famer.
2024 Draft
With all that said about Tyler Smith, the Cowboys are still on the fence about whether they are going to bring Tyron Smith back or not.
He is set to be a free agent, but said he hopes to remain with the team and has no plans on retiring.
With the new salary cap increase, they may be able to bring him back, because when he is on the field, he is still one of the best tackles in the league.
I would use the first-round pick on the offensive line, or if a decent wide receiver slips to them in the early 20s.
I don’t want a linebacker or running back in the first.
With the way Mazi Smith has turned out, I don’t want to take the chance on another guy on the DL that early either.
I give credit for the ONE thing the Jones family has done over the years, and that is draft really good players, but this roster needs to add others outside the draft to compete for a title.
The young guys can’t help them right away win in the playoffs and it’s shown over the last 20 years.
The Cowboys are about to start on a long offseason.
They still need to figure out Dak Prescott’s contract, whether or not they are going to bring back key players; such as Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, and others.
The draft can only do so much, and with the new increase in the cap, they can go “all-in” as Jerry Jones said a few months ago.
Something has to give.