Cowboys giving 1st-round pick every chance to succeed after disappointing start

USA Today

03-05-2025

Cowboys giving 1st-round pick every chance to succeed after disappointing start Guyton has been given the gift of a clean slate and giftwrapped opportunity to seize the starting left tackle spot on the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.
Second chances aren't guaranteed in life; not even for former first-round picks. When Tyler Guyton rolled snake eyes his rookie season, the Dallas Cowboys were under no obligation to wipe the slate clean and just hand him the job back.
As their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Guyton wasn't going to get cut from the roster or anything, but the Cowboys could have added competition to the mix and made things awfully uncomfortable for the second-year left tackle. Instead, they cleared the path for the young man to succeed.
Not only did Dallas add offensive line guru Klayton Adams to lead the offense in 2025, but they allowed Guyton's top competition from last season, Chuma Edoga, to leave in free agency. Edoga replaced and rotated with Guyton at LT in 2024 after the rookie's maturity, focus and effort were called into question. Edoga himself wasn't seen as much more than replacement level, but even still, his exodus over the offseason shows a certain degree of faith and commitment Dallas has in the former Sooner.
The second test of faith and commitment was demonstrated in the draft. The Cowboys chose an offensive lineman with their first pick but instead of selecting a tackle, they chose a player for their offensive interior. Tyler Booker, selected No. 12 overall, is slated to play right guard and has no discernable offensive tackle ability to threaten Guyton. Unless the Cowboys decide to move Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle, the pathway is clear for Guyton to claim the LT1 role without looking over his shoulder. It's a dangerous gamble by the Cowboys to put all their eggs in his basket but likely relieving for a talented kid like Guyton wanting a redo.
Comparing the offensive line situation in 2024 to the situation in 2025, things actually look better for Guyton today. Not many players can struggle as much as Guyton did last year and be given a better situation to work with the following year. Guyton has been given a gift by the Cowboys and for the sake of the entire 2025, Guyton better take advantage of the generosity or things could go downhill, fast.
A focus on the running game should help since most young offensive linemen prefer to run block downhill rather than backstep in pass protection. As long as the running game is effective and Dak Prescott isn't placed in too many obvious passing situations, things should be manageable for Guyton.
But at an athletic 6-foot-7, 322-pounds, Guyton's troubles aren't that he's being put in too many challenging situations. It's the maturity, discipline and effort that pushed him to the bench last year. If Guyton is focused and plays with heart, the sky is the limit. That's what the Cowboys invested in this offseason and that's what they hope Guyton will reward them with in 2025.
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