Tyler Guyton Faces Tough Competition for Left Tackle Position

The Dallas Cowboys took a significant step in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick. After showcasing his skills at right tackle during his time at Oklahoma, Guyton is now being tasked with transitioning to left tackle to fill the shoes of veteran Tyron Smith. However, this change has not gone as smoothly as anticipated.

In his two seasons with the Cowboys, Guyton has faced challenges, including health issues and inconsistent performance, resulting in only 21 starts. As the team prepares for the next season, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed on Thursday that Guyton will be competing for the starting left tackle position against Nate Thomas, a seventh-round pick from the same draft year. Guyton's path to the starting role has been further complicated by a knee injury sustained during training camp, which allowed Thomas to step in with the first-team offense. Thomas not only filled that void but also made his first four career starts in the 2025 season. Although Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith also assumed left tackle duties for the final four games, he has expressed a preference to remain at guard.

With both players vying for the left tackle spot, Schottenheimer emphasized the need for Guyton to demonstrate greater consistency. “Tyler's biggest thing is the consistency has not been there,” he noted. “Very talented, maybe one of the most athletic big men I've ever been around with his ability to kick-slide, punch, move [and] run. But there’s got to be more consistency. That’s been the challenge, he’s been working extremely, extremely hard at.”