Tyler Guyton got a pass in Week 1. The Dallas Cowboys starting left tackle missed nearly the entire preseason after a leg injury put him on ice early in training camp. Prior to that, Guyton was generating a fair amount of buzz for his improvement at tackle.
Improvement was needed after his disastrous rookie season that saw him struggle mightily, both physically and mentally. Maturity and effort were as much to blame as technique and discipline, leading to one of the worst pass protection grades in the NFL last year. But Guyton reportedly hit the reset button over the offseason, dedicating himself to the craft and impressing many with his renewed attitude.
At face value none of those gains were seen on the field in Week 1.
Guyton was given a 26.1 pass blocking grade at Pro Football Focus, ranking last in the NFL as he gave up a whopping five pressures. But what doesn’t show up on the stat sheet and what gets left out of the grading formula is Guyton’s improved technique. The head slap notwithstanding, Guyton looks like he’s applying technique to his game. Given he’s a fairly impressive athletic specimen, it stands to reason once he can put the fundamentals and technique together, he could develop into a fine LT someday.
While the results may not support it, Guyton looked far more polished than last year, and it stands to reason with more reps and more coaching the results will soon follow.
With just roughly a week of practice under his belt, it’s understandable Guyton struggled in Week 1. For that, he gets a pass. But in Week 2 against the New York Giants, he has to show some gains. Guyton has to show he’s moving in the right direction as a prospect, or the Cowboys simply must look for alternative avenues.
The only truly feasible option to replace Guyton in 2025 is surprise standout Nate Thomas. Thomas, a seventh-round draft pick from 2024, doesn’t have the same ceiling as Guyton but he has an internal drive that can’t be matched. After basically redshirting as a rookie, Thomas hit the ground running this summer. He’s now the top backup at tackle and someone Dallas can turn to if Guyton reverts back to last year.
The 2026 NFL draft also happens to feature an impressive collection in OT talent. If the Cowboys don’t see progress from Guyton this year, they have a ripe opportunity to select a new LT and start fresh. Hopefully Guyton stays the path and shows progression this year and starting over isn’t necessary, but the escape hatch is there if things go south.
Showing growth in Week 2 is no easy task given the competition he’s about to face. New York has one of the best edge groups in the NFL and will champing at the bit to put Guyton on skates this Sunday. Assessing Guyton’s progression might require grading on a curve with attention to technique and discipline just as important as the pressures allowed.
The clock is ticking for Guyton. He got a pass in Week 1 but starting now, it’s time to see gains from the former first round pick.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Time for Tyler Guyton to show the Cowboys he’s right man for the job
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
