Dallas Cowboys address major need with surprise pick in first-round of 2022 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys have made its selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Picking at No. 24, the Cowboys watched notable prospects fly off the board leading up to its selection. Offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Kenyon Green were both taken inside the top-20. Six receivers went off the board within the first 19 selections. Dallas […]
The Dallas Cowboys have made its selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Picking at No. 24, the Cowboys watched notable prospects fly off the board leading up to its selection. Offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Kenyon Green were both taken inside the top-20. Six receivers went off the board within the first 19 selections.
Dallas went with offensive lineman Tyler Smith out of Tulsa with its first pick of the NFL Draft. There were rumors leading up to the draft that Smith was in the mix to be the selection.
WHAT TO KNOW
Tyler Smith is an athletic offensive line prospect that translates best to guard on the NFL level. The 6-4, 324-pound lineman possesses an intriguing frame and has some athletic upside that ultimately sold the Cowboys on taking him in the first-round.
Smith started three seasons on the collegiate level at left tackle. He was an all-conference performer and emerged as one of the better lineman prospects in the 2022 draft class. The newest Cowboys lineman ranked as the No. 6 player at his position, according to draft guru Dane Brugler.
On the other hand, however, Smith gained a reputation for becoming a penalty machine while at Tulsa. He committed 12 holding penalties in 2021. That is something that must be cleaned up.
Overall, Smith is a raw prospect that is a standard boom-or-bust prospect. The Dallas Cowboys are certainly hoping for the former.
HOW HE FITS
Despite playing tackle at Tulsa, Smith is likely better suited to play guard on the next level. That is especially true with the Cowboys, where Dallas is set at both tackle positions for the immediate future.
Smith is an athletic player, which will be welcomed along the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. Additionally, he does have some nastiness to him, as he plays through the whistle and demonstrated toughness at the line of scrimmage.
Dallas is a franchise that has a successful history of drafting and developing offensive linemen. The Cowboys are banking on Tyler Smith being next in line.
The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to make its second selection of the 2022 NFL Draft at No. 56 overall in Friday's second-round.
DRAFT GRADE
The Dallas Cowboys selected their first-round selection in Tulsa OL Tyler Smith. Many, including myself, at the moment, are not happy with the pick considering the talent that was still left on the board.
OL Tyler Linderbaum out of the University of Iowa was there for the taking as the center position with Tyler Biadasz struggling at various times in games.
Draft Grade: Due to where they selected him and better players on the board, I have to grade this pick a C-.
Yes, it filled a need but with the Cowboys being the most penalized team in the NFL and Smith leading the NCAA in penalties does not fix their o-line issues.
Smith will need some serious work with his technique if he ever wants to take over as the starting LT when Tyron Smith decides to hang it up.
We were wrong about Travis Frederick back in the 2013 NFL Draft, let's see if Smith can prove everyone they were wrong. — via Alec Cash, A to Z Sports
Featured image via Matthew Emmons-USA Today Sports
