Dallas Cowboys fans had a shortlist of players and storylines they planned to watch closely in Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. While 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith likely topped most lists, 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton wasn't far behind.
Guyton has battled an illness for the last week, so he didn't much practice time in the build-up to kickoff. Because of that, Chuma Edoga started at left tackle on the Cowboys' first offensive drive. However, it didn't take long for Guyton to sub in for Edoga and the plan is for the rookie to start at LT in the Week 1 opener in Cleveland, per Nick Eatman of the team's official website.
Just now on the other side of the virus, one would understand if it took Guyton some plays to showcase his first-round talent. In the best of surprises, Guyton took one snap to record his first-ever pancake at the pro level. You can watch the play behind this link.
Cowboys' Tyler Guyton is throwing bodies around in his NFL debut
Guyton didn't notch the pancake initially but he completed the block and drove the Rams defender into the ground. It was a jaw-dropping display of strength and violence, but that wasn't the only highlight-reel block from Guyton's first handful of snaps.
A few plays later, Guyton took a cross chop to the chin and still managed to clear out the left side of the line to create a running lane for quarterback Trey Lance to scramble for a first down. Just watch Guyton drive the Rams pass rusher out of the picture.
Pass protection doesn’t have to be passive. Cowboys first round rookie Tyler Guyton shows that here.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 11, 2024
Trey Lance with the impressive scramble on third for a first down. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/JiZVJ7zabU
Say what you will about Guyton going up against backups. That is a massive sign of encouragement for the first-round pick.
Guyton gave Cowboys fans a taste of everything on his opening drive. On a third-round pitch to running back Malik Davis, Guyton laid a thunderous block and wiped out another Rams defender. Guyton admittedly took out teammate Jalen Cropper as well, but that was a little taste of what the 22-year-old can contribute as a pull blocker in the open field.
It is important not to overreact to Guyton's first half of action in preseason. There will be bumps and bruises along the way, but it is hard not to be overcome with excitement. The fact he went from not feeling well to throwing bodies all over the place on his first couple of snaps is so impressive.