The Dallas Cowboys have taken Tulsa OL Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick. It’s a pick some of us saw coming but never wanted to believe.
With better prospects on the board, including edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and center Tyler Linderbaum, I’m not sure why Dallas went this route. The offensive line was a position of need in this draft, but Smith is a second-round talent picked in the first round. He’s an aggressive blocker, especially in the run game, but this seems like too high of a reach.
Smith’s technique isn’t quite there yet, he’s prone to penalties and he’ll need more development to become a bonafide starter in the NFL. He’s got some potential, but guys like Linderbaum don’t need as much development as him.
Tyler Smith was called for 12 penalties in 12 games last season, after being flagged 7 times in 14 games from 2019-20; his 12 flags were the 3rd most in the FBS among offensive linemen. Cowboys OL flagged a league-high 49 times last season
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) April 29, 2022
Smith could be a great offensive lineman. However, given where he was taken, this is not a great pick.
Grade: D-
Most Cowboys fans and commentators are split on the pick. Here’s how some of them reacted to it:
WHYYYY
WHYYYY
WHYYYY
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) April 29, 2022
I'd much rather have La'el Collins plus an EDGE or Linderbaum over Tyler Smith at 24, but that's just me
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 29, 2022
A lot of negativity around the pick and I fully admit that I don’t know much about the kid but I remind myself that everyone hated the Travis Fredrick kick too.
— Nick Herrera (@Nick_Herrera34) April 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/WedgeBuster88/status/1519871922535870464
https://twitter.com/FootsDaKing/status/1519871845281026051
I am reserving judgement
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) April 29, 2022
— JESSE (With No “i”) (@Mr4thAndLong) April 29, 2022
We may have to stop calling this team a top three drafting team tbh
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) April 29, 2022
Everyone is bringing up the penalties concern with Tyler Smith – yes, he’s raw. But I think moving him to LG will help accentuate his strengths and mask his weaknesses.
Just turned 21 and his best football is ahead of him. Low floor for sure, but definitely has a high ceiling.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) April 29, 2022
My issue with this is the totality of how we got here.
The Cowboys have not taken any serious measures towards fixing their team and are banking on a lot of improbable things happening for them in 2022.
They painted themselves into a corner and are in no way out of it. https://t.co/STExpYSyfM
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 29, 2022
