The Cowboys are going to find out pretty darn quickly this season what they have in their rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton. The heir to Tyron Smith has big shoes to fill and arguably the toughest match-up in the NFL right of the gate in 2024.
Facing Cleveland in their Week 1 showdown, Guyton is slated to face off against Myles Garrett, a three time All-Pro and reining NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett, 6-foot-4, 272-pounds, is the league’s preeminent pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus Garrett rushed 666 snaps from the right side (facing the LT) compared to just 121 from the left (facing the RT). That puts the rookie Guyton right in his cross hairs.
This situation is something many in Dallas circled with fear on their calendars after the Cowboys first selected Guyton with the 29th pick in the draft. Seen as an unpolished developmental player, the idea of Guyton facing Garrett sent chills up the collective spine of Cowboys Nation. It was so frightening of a thought, many, including the team themselves, penciled journeyman Chuma Edoga in as the starting LT for Week 1.
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After working with renowned offensive line guru Duke Manyweather in the spring, Guyton came to training camp humming. His work ethic and ability to quickly digest and implement technical skills was something the scouting reports clearly missed. Guyton progressed at a rapid rate in Oxnard, not just looking like the LT of the future but also the LT of the present. An unfortunate injury to Edoga facilitated the move to the starting lineup and now Guyton gets ready to put his newly acquired skills to the ultimate test.
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Garrett isn’t the only tough draw on Guyton’s schedule. There’s a three week stretch in October where Guyton faces T.J. Watt, Aiden Hutchinson and Nick Bosa in consecutive weeks. It’s murder’s row of pass rushers on the docket but if Guyton can hold up against Garrett in Week 1, logic says he should be able to handle the others down the road.
It’s likely the Cowboys will send help in Guyton’s direction from time to time. Terence Steele has been said to have had a solid summer. If he can hold his own at RT, the Cowboys can roll protections Guyton’s way against Garrett. There’s no shame in getting help against Garrett and frankly the survival of the offense may depend on it.
Even if Guyton struggles on Sunday there’s nowhere to go but up in his development. He started the process extremely raw but possess an elite skillset that indicates the sky is the limit for the young tackle. His work-ethic and learning curve also indicate he’s a pretty safe bet to make it as a prospect this season.
They say you play the cards you’re delt and Guyton got delt a pretty tough hand with Garrett in Week 1, but the rookie appears up to the challenge and Cowboys success in 2024 may depend on it.
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