Tyler Guyton's success vs. Browns hinges on a polarizing Cowboys starter

Like a lot of NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys stroll into Week 1 with a handful of questions on the docket. The linebacker rotation and running back workload headline many lists but in the leadup to Cleveland on Sunday afternoon many people are wondering how in the H-E-double hockey sticks will the Dallas offensive line stop the Browns ridiculous pass rush.

Cleveland’s top ranked defense last season boasted a pass rush that finished in the top-10 in both pressures and sacks. Facing off against arguably the best pass rushing defensive line in the league, the Cowboys will have their work cut out for them right out of the gate in 2024.

Even without the daunting task of the Browns defensive line staring them in the face, the Cowboys have reason for mild concern on their offensive line. Not only are the Cowboys starting two rookies on their refurbished O-line, but there’s a cloud of uncertainty specifically enveloping their two bookend tackles.

Tyler Guyton, the left tackle, and Terence Steele, the right tackle, come into the 2024 season with major question marks. Guyton was originally billed as an ultra-raw draft prospect who possessed an enormous ceiling but also required a patient coaching staff.

Steele is coming off a horrific campaign in 2023 where he was graded as one of the worst pass protecting tackles in the NFL. Both players performed well in the preseason and both have offered plenty of reason for optimism this year, but both also come with legitimate concerns.

Cowboys' Terence Steele will be crucial to Tyler Guyton's success in Week 1

It's one thing to play well in Oxnard and to shine in the preseason, it’s an entirely different thing to face off against Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith in the regular season.

Based on historical data, Garrett is likely to line up opposite Guyton most of the afternoon with Smith opposite Steele. Unlike the previous head coach in Dallas, Mike McCarthy has no problem rolling pass protection in the direction of needy parties. Given Garrett is the defending Defensive Player of the Year, Guyton most likely represents “needy parties” in this scenario.

Guyton will still need to take on Garrett in plenty of one-on-one scenarios, but McCarthy will offer aid in obvious passing situations. In order for that to work, the Cowboys absolutely require Steele to handle his business over on the right side. Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler who’s logged double-digit sacks in three of the last five seasons. Steele has to be able to handle Smith on an island in obvious passing situations because McCarthy wants to devote resources over to the left side for Guyton. Not everyone can get help at the same time.

For as fun as it will be to see Guyton take on the top defensive end in the league, he’s going to get his share of help on Sunday. For that reason, Guyton is more curiosity. Steele, on the other hand, goes into the game as the critical piece. For McCarthy to get Guyton the help at LT, he needs Steele to hold down the fort at RT. In that way Steele’s performance is critical.  

Both the Dallas OTs have questions, and both are required to play with a certain degree of aptitude, but expectations and circumstances are different for them each. Guyton will be must see TV and possibly the biggest curiosity on the field for the Cowboys. Steele will be less watched by fans but under far more pressure to perform. He’s the critical component of it all.

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