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Just because a team invests big on an NFL player, doesn’t mean that player will automatically live up to expectations. So, when the Dallas Cowboys invested a first-round pick and a four-year, $13,155,806 contract to make Tyler Guyton their next starting left tackle, they bet on the upside but understood the risk of the unknown. For the first two years of the deal, risk was about all that was being seen.
Injuries and effort stunted Guyton’s development early, placing his long-term future in doubt. It got to the point Brian Scottenheimer had to call his left tackle spot a competition heading into training camp. Options were limited but reserve tackle Nate Thomas had shown promise in the past. While this was likely motivational more than reality, Schottenheimer’s threats seemed to have worked. Left tackle is now Guyton’s job to lose and Thomas is firmly positioned behind the first rounder on the depth chart.
Guyton’s success is clearly in the best interests of the Cowboys. At 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, Guyton is built like a prototypical blindside protector. Together with a long reach and tremendous athleticism, Guyton’s ceiling is far and away the highest ceiling of all tackle prospects on the roster.
Under contract for two more years and with a team option tacked on (must be executed following this season), Guyton can be an affordable starter on one of Dallas’ most expensive units. A new deal will come due at just the right time, positioning the former Oklahoma product to play in Dallas long-term. Living up to his first-round expectations is a required step in that forecast.
Winning in the offseason is an important thing for the Cowboys. Once upon a time it was Terence Steele who won favor and grace from the Dallas coaching staff over an offseason. His attitude and work ethic paved the way for a multiyear deal. The hope is Guyton has figured it out and is now walking a similar path.
If Guyton can’t continue down the path, Thomas is still waiting in the wings. Drafted over 200 spots behind Guyton in 2024, the latter brings less athletic traits, but a motivated spirit to the mix. At 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, Thomas isn’t quite the physical presence as Guyton. Thomas' pre-draft analysis questioned if he was actually a better guard prospect than tackle. With value at tackle exceeding the guard position, the Cowboys seem dedicated into developing him first at left tackle.
At right tackle, it appears the rookie Drew Shelton is backing up Steele. Keeping each player on their respective sides of the field should aid in muscle memory, even if it comes at the cost of position flex. Pieces are falling into place in training camp and that's very good news for Cowboys fans.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys offer up great news in training camp about $13M underachiever
Continue reading...
Injuries and effort stunted Guyton’s development early, placing his long-term future in doubt. It got to the point Brian Scottenheimer had to call his left tackle spot a competition heading into training camp. Options were limited but reserve tackle Nate Thomas had shown promise in the past. While this was likely motivational more than reality, Schottenheimer’s threats seemed to have worked. Left tackle is now Guyton’s job to lose and Thomas is firmly positioned behind the first rounder on the depth chart.
Guyton’s success is clearly in the best interests of the Cowboys. At 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, Guyton is built like a prototypical blindside protector. Together with a long reach and tremendous athleticism, Guyton’s ceiling is far and away the highest ceiling of all tackle prospects on the roster.
Under contract for two more years and with a team option tacked on (must be executed following this season), Guyton can be an affordable starter on one of Dallas’ most expensive units. A new deal will come due at just the right time, positioning the former Oklahoma product to play in Dallas long-term. Living up to his first-round expectations is a required step in that forecast.
Winning in the offseason is an important thing for the Cowboys. Once upon a time it was Terence Steele who won favor and grace from the Dallas coaching staff over an offseason. His attitude and work ethic paved the way for a multiyear deal. The hope is Guyton has figured it out and is now walking a similar path.
If Guyton can’t continue down the path, Thomas is still waiting in the wings. Drafted over 200 spots behind Guyton in 2024, the latter brings less athletic traits, but a motivated spirit to the mix. At 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, Thomas isn’t quite the physical presence as Guyton. Thomas' pre-draft analysis questioned if he was actually a better guard prospect than tackle. With value at tackle exceeding the guard position, the Cowboys seem dedicated into developing him first at left tackle.
At right tackle, it appears the rookie Drew Shelton is backing up Steele. Keeping each player on their respective sides of the field should aid in muscle memory, even if it comes at the cost of position flex. Pieces are falling into place in training camp and that's very good news for Cowboys fans.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys offer up great news in training camp about $13M underachiever
Continue reading...
