At Zack Martin and Tyron Smith’s retirement ceremonies, the Dallas Cowboys legends each had great things to say about what the team’s current offensive line looks like.
The majority of that praise was directed to and about Tyler Smith.
Smith, the Cowboys’ first round pick in 2022 out of Tulsa, is now receiving more recognition from around the league after being named to Pro Football Focus’ top 25 players under 25 list for the second consecutive season.
Martin took his young offensive guard counterpart under his wing for the past two seasons. Since the 11-year Cowboys’ retirement this offseason, the expectations have turned to Smith being the next great O-lineman in Dallas’ rich history on the interior.
So far, he has lived up to that billing from the moment he’s entered the NFL.
“Offensive line is one of the most difficult positions to hit the ground running at in the NFL, but through his first three years in the league, Smith has done just that, ranking in the top 10 at his position since 2022 in PFF WAR,” PFF’s Johnathon Macri wrote about Smith who is ranked 22nd on the list.
“Smith has established himself as a very good run blocker, ranking in the top 20 at his position in each of his first three seasons, though he has also developed nicely as a pass blocker. He has gradually increased his PFF pass-blocking grade each year since entering the NFL, culminating in a 76.0 mark in 2024 — a top-10 figure for the position.”
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell was the only other offensive lineman on PFF’s list other than Smith.
In his three seasons with the Cowboys, Smith has started every game he’s been healthy for; he’s appeared in 47 games in total. The guard’s career accolades are highlighted by two Pro Bowl selections and a 2nd Team All-Pro nod, joining his quarterback Dak Prescott with that honor in 2023.
Smith, who is a fresh 24 years old, now has the opportunity to lead a very young, but promising, Cowboys O-line.
Joining Smith is 2024 draft picks Tyler Guyton at left tackle and Cooper Beebe at center. Dallas’ first-rounder from the 2025 Draft Tyler Booker is expected to start at the right guard spot next to the veteran of the group, 2020 un-drafted signee Terence Steele at tackle.
Very quickly Smith has turned into the second-most tenured and clearly the most accomplished lineman on the Cowboys roster.
They might be young, but with one of the NFL’s best interior offensive lineman in Tyler Smith, this Cowboys offensive line has the potential to be a mainstay as one of the best in the league.
… And maybe rival the greats of Cowboys’ history that were anchored by Zack and Tyron in years past.
