There isn’t much to discuss as to three of the five starting spots on the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. Tyron Smith, La’el Collins and Zach Martin are locked in and thanks to a shortened offseason, Connor Williams is likely a lock too barring a switch to a different position. The center position will require monitoring as there will be a battle between Joe Looney, Tyler Biadasz, and possibly Connor McGovern, who had 14 career starts at the position while at Penn State.
However the swing position at offensive tackle may be one of the more important camp battles across the entire roster. There is a chance one of the reserve offensive lineman on the team plays starting snaps at some point during the regular season especially with some of the nagging injuries Smith has dealt with. The Cowboys are young and experienced behind there two book end offensive tackles but they do have a former five-star recruit and two time National Champion who could be ready to fill in if need be, in second-year pro Mitch Hyatt.
Hyatt was signed by the Cowboys as a undrafted free-agent in 2019. He struggled throughout the preseason and was released on August 31, but was signed back to the practice squad on September 2. Hyatt was promoted to the 53 in December but did not see any game action.
After a stellar collegiate campaign, it was surprising to some Hyatt went without being selected, but his play strength was going to be an obvious impediment in making the transition to being a pro player. That was evident in his early time with Dallas, but the biggest question is whether the delayed offseason allowed him the proper opportunity to improve in the necessary areas to make an impression on Mike McCarthy, Joe Philbin and the new offensive coaching staff.
Early Days
Hyatt attended North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia where he was a five star offensive lineman prospect. He was named a U.S All American and was ranked the No. 2 recruit in Georgia and the No. 23-ranked player in the class.
Hyatt had a decorated career at the University of Clemson, wining two National Championships in the 2016 and 2018 seasons. He came out the gate strong as a freshman and was the first, first year freshman to start an opener at offensive tackle since 1944. Hyatt started 15 games that season and was named freshman all-american by Sporting News and USA Today while receiving third team All-ACC honors.
Much of the next three years was continued growth for the four-year starter and a two-time All American. He accumulated 3,754 snaps over 58 games, starting 57 of them. He holds the school record for career snaps from scrimmage and career starts.
Scouting Report
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
STRENGTHS: Coordinated shuffle to stay square to rushers…sets up quickly to maximize body position…leaks outside to occupy linebackers…assignment sound and accomplishes his mission…stubborn at the point of attack, using his grip strength to latch and stay engaged…adequate length rolls his hips at contact to reinforce his anchor…tough–minded approach was instilled in him at a young age…heightened awareness for the position…team captain and competes with an edge…durable and finished with 57 starts on his collegiate resume.WEAKNESSES: Folds like a cheap suit once rushers reach his chest…average athleticism…doesn’t play with lower body twitch, struggling to recover vs. shifty rushers…tends to overset, opening inside rush lanes…plays short–armed in his pass sets…needs to eliminate the holding penalties…comes with core strength concerns, allowing rushers to rock him backward…doesn’t have the frame to maul in the run game…bad habit of leaving his feet as a blocker.SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Clemson, Hyatt stepped in as the Tigers’ starting left tackle once Isaiah Battle unexpectedly left the team for the 2015 Supplemental Draft, becoming the first Clemson true freshman to start at tackle since 1944 (Phil Prince). Nicknamed “Mr. Dependable” by head coach Dabo Swinney, he leaves the program with the records for career snaps (3,754) and starts (57), missing only one start the last four seasons because he was late to a meeting. Hyatt is a smart,efficient mover, keeping his feet in sync with his upper body to mirror in his pass sets. He needs technique work to keep rushers from his body, lacking the functional strength to reset his anchor or sustain if his body position isn’t pristine. Overall, Hyatt relies more on angles, spacing and quicks than power and length to get the job done, which will create long-term problems at the next level, projecting as an NFL backup at tackle or guard.GRADE: 5th Round
2020 Outlook
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Hyatt has a chance to win the swing tackle job in camp but he must have taken a clear step forward and show the coaches he has fixed some of the issues he dealt with last off season. He struggled significantly handling the strength of pro rushers when they were able to get inside his chest. He also must cleaning up his technique and footwork. Hyatt will be competing with veteran Cameron Erving, Brandon Knight and rookie Terence Steele as well as any unknown player from outside the organization.
Not winning the swing tackle job won’t be the end of his chances of making the game-day roster, though. The NFL has expanded those from 46 to 48 as long as one of the players is an offensive lineman. With practice squads deeper and the flexibility to move players up and down without risking them to other teams, there’s potential for Hyatt and any of the young pups to latch on.
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