NFL analyst tips his hat to once maligned Cowboys' player
The Dallas Cowboys had to start preparing for the future at left tackle with the recent injury history of Tyron Smith, and that was further enhanced when he went on injured reserve after hamstring surgery. Tyler Smith out of Tulsa was the Cowboys' first-round selection which left plenty of people scratching their heads, especially with […]
The Dallas Cowboys had to start preparing for the future at left tackle with the recent injury history of Tyron Smith, and that was further enhanced when he went on injured reserve after hamstring surgery.
Tyler Smith out of Tulsa was the Cowboys' first-round selection which left plenty of people scratching their heads, especially with so much top-end talent left on the board. However, Smith has adapted to the pro game nicely, so much so, that Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network ranked him the 22nd-best rookie through the first month of the 2022 season.
Jeremiah's thoughts on Smith's play so far:
"Smith is still raw, but he’s flashed elite ability in both the run and pass game. He’s very quick-footed and he’s a finisher."
Smith certainly has to fine-tune the technical nuances of playing offensive line on the professional level. With that being said, Smith has displayed tremendous power as an anchor once he's engaged with a defender, and his aggressive and nasty nature that when goes to completing blocks, which is one of the things that caught the Cowboys' eye, pops off the screen.
One of the big knocks on Smith coming out of college was that he was undisciplined due to accumulating an abundance of penalties last season. He's been called for three penalties (two accepted) so far, meaning he still needs work in that aspect, but that is expected with raw talent. However, as Smith continues his progression with the Cowboys, penalties will become more seldom.
Smith has faced some quality edge rushers like Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Montez Sweat of the Washington Commanders and held up quite well. In 150 pass-blocking snaps so far this season, Smith has only allowed one sack, which is quite impressive.
Cowboys' running back Ezekiel Elliott, who praised Smith's play as early as May, recently gave a simple and direct answer on the rookie as a player.
"That dude is a beast."
After many thought the Cowboys reached on Smith in the first round, he's proving that he's a quality NFL offensive lineman already and one of the steals of the 2022 draft.
Feature image via Kareem Elgazzar of The Enquirer part of the USA TODAY NETWORK
