Grading the Cowboys rookies four weeks into the 2022 season
Day One Selection
OL Tyler Smith (Round 1, pick 24)
The reaction to this pick by the front office was certainly one-sided. Almost nobody liked the selection of Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick. Now, people are feeling very differently about the Tulsa product.
Being tasked with playing guard right away in the NFL is one thing. Having to step in for a future Hall of Fame left tackle is in its own different world of difficulty and pressure. Smith has stepped up to the task and exceeded expectations.
Amazing how Tyler Smith continues to stack good performances together, especially in pass protection. It's easy to see how much work he's put into his game to improve. #Cowboys
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 2, 2022
Smith has been a force in the run game, as expected, appearing on highlight reels of long runs by the ‘Boys backs. He has also held his own against star pass-rushers, such as Trey Hendrickson, Shaq Barrett, and Montez Sweat, allowing none of them to get to the quarterback. In four games, the first-round pick has allowed seven pressures in 150 pass-blocking plays.
The 24th pick seems to be another hit on a first-round lineman for the scouting department in Dallas. He has done a phenomenal job of filling in for Tyron Smith, and he is making a case to stick around there longer than they may have anticipated.
Grade: A
Next. The 20 Best Draft Picks in Cowboys History. dark