Competition at tackle continues but Prescott predicts Smith stays at left guard
The Dallas Cowboys opened training camp with a familiar line of questions about how the offensive front will look come Week 1. The team added a wrinkle to that conversation when coach Brian Schottenheimer said young tackle Tyler Smith would take reps at left tackle, a move that keeps options open as coaches evaluate depth and fit.
Smith — a player the Cowboys and many evaluators consider one of the better guards in the NFL when he’s in his natural spot — downplayed a definitive answer about his own role. "You know, we'll see what happens," he told reporters, adding that final decisions are up to the coaches. But while Smith left the door open, quarterback Dak Prescott offered a sharper take after practice Thursday.
“I know [Tyler] Guyton is going to handle his business outside,” Prescott said.
Prescott’s comment is both vote of confidence and shorthand for how the Cowboys hope to arrange their best five linemen. The team has invested draft capital and patience in former first-round pick Tyler Guyton, and through two practices of camp he has been the only player to see first-team reps at left tackle. That trend suggests coaches are giving Guyton the inside track to protect Prescott’s blind side.
Still, Schottenheimer made clear this will be an evaluative period. He said the staff will rotate players after a set of practices — a typical approach in summer work that lets coaches see matchups and technique under varying conditions. Nate Thomas is also competing for time outside, and Smith remains the contingency plan if Guyton and Thomas don’t provide the level of play the team wants at left tackle.
- Tyler Smith: preferred left guard, taking some tackle reps
- Tyler Guyton: favored for left tackle; first-team reps early in camp
- Nate Thomas: competing for outside tackle job
For Dallas, figuring out the offensive line is more than a roster curiosity. It’s central to the identity of an offense that must protect Prescott, sustain a rushing attack and create lanes for the Cowboys’ skill players. When the line is settled, the team can focus on the nuances of timing and route concepts; when it’s unsettled, game planning and quarterback comfort can suffer.
Practical realities are why Smith may be the best short-term answer at guard: he has experience, technique and the kind of quickness interior defensive linemen need to be handled in the NFL. But the organization has repeatedly signaled its willingness to be patient with Guyton, hoping his raw tools and draft pedigree translate into a long-term solution at left tackle.
Camp rotation also serves another purpose: it keeps players fresh and prevents an early injury from deciding a key position before the preseason provides fuller evidence. The Cowboys’ approach mirrors what many teams do — test candidates, give reps, then narrow the field as the pads come on and game speed increases.
For local fans, there’s a straightforward takeaway: expect more watching than certainty for now. Smith’s versatility could be the difference-maker, but Prescott’s public backing of Guyton underscores the coaching staff’s preferred script. If Guyton falters, Smith looks ready to slide outside. If Guyton handles his business, the Cowboys may have the stable blind-side protection they've been seeking.
| Player | Primary position | Camp status |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Smith | Left guard (backup LT) | Taking LT reps; expected at LG |
| Tyler Guyton | Left tackle | First-team reps; favorite for LT |
| Nate Thomas | Tackle | Competing for outside role |
As the Cowboys work through the coming weeks at The Star, Dallas will get a clearer picture. For now, the narrative is simple: coaches will tinker; Prescott expects Guyton to deliver; Smith remains the insurance policy. Those small decisions up front will ripple through an offense that still has Super Bowl aspirations and a fan base that knows better than to count anything as final until the pads hit and the whistles blow.
