Tyler Smith’s Versatility Could Reshape Cowboys’ Offensive Line Future
There’s something special about a lineman who can dominate at multiple positions. Zack Martin proved that over the past decade, carving out a Hall of Fame career at right guard-even though he had the tools to be an elite tackle. Now, Tyler Smith might be following a similar path, but with a twist: his versatility could end up reshaping the Cowboys’ offensive line for years to come.
Smith has already proven he can be a force at left guard. He’s played at an All-Pro level there, anchoring the interior with power, technique, and smarts.
But when injuries hit the Cowboys’ front five, Smith was asked to slide back out to left tackle-a position he played during his rookie season-and he didn’t just hold his own. He stood out.
In Sunday’s win over the Chargers, Smith looked right at home on the edge. According to Pro Football Focus, it was his fourth-highest graded performance in 14 games this season. And that wasn’t lost on Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
“If you watch the way he played, and see how these guys functioned, we know he can play out there,” Schottenheimer said after the game. “We’re not surprised.
I’m not surprised. We made the move because we thought it gave us the best chance to win these next three games.”
That plan is now locked in for the final stretch of the regular season. Smith will remain at left tackle for at least two more games.
After that? That’s where things get interesting.
Smith himself isn’t looking too far ahead. When asked if this could be a permanent change, he kept things grounded.
“I honestly have no idea,” he said. “For this week it was due to some injuries.
Ultimately, I’m gonna do what’s best for the team. I understand who I am, where I am, and ultimately what I’m getting paid to do.
We’ll have those conversations when we have those conversations.”
Let’s talk about that paycheck for a second. Smith signed a four-year, $96 million extension back in September, making him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in league history.
But if he ends up sticking at left tackle full-time, that $24 million per year suddenly looks like a bargain. That number would only rank sixth among left tackles and ninth among all offensive tackles.
If he stays outside, a contract adjustment might not be far behind-and frankly, it could be justified.
The Cowboys have been searching for stability up front all season. Injuries have forced constant shuffling.
Rookie Tyler Guyton, who was expected to be the long-term answer at left tackle, has missed five games with an ankle injury and isn’t expected to play Thursday. Cooper Beebe has missed six games, Tyler Booker three.
Terence Steele is the only lineman to play every game, but even that consistency hasn’t translated into high-level play-Steele currently ranks 40th among all tackles, per PFF.
The original plan was to roll with Guyton at left tackle, Smith at left guard, Beebe at center, Booker at right guard, and Steele at right tackle. On paper, it looked solid.
On the field? Injuries and underperformance have made it hard to evaluate.
That’s why Smith’s ability to slide outside and still play at a high level is such a big deal. It gives the Cowboys flexibility-not just for the rest of this season, but heading into 2026.
If the front office believes it’s easier to find a quality guard in free agency or the draft than it is to land a reliable tackle, the solution could be clear. Move Smith to left tackle permanently, shift Guyton (who played right tackle in college) to the right side, and lock down the edges. That would also free the team from having to burn another first-round pick on an offensive tackle-something they might prefer to avoid with pressing needs on defense.
Dak Prescott, for one, has no doubts about Smith’s ability to handle whatever role he’s handed.
“Put him at center,” Prescott joked. “He can do it all.
We’re good at center, but honestly, he can play whatever he wants. That’s credit to that guy.”
Prescott pointed back to Smith’s rookie year, when he was thrown into the fire at left tackle after Tyron Smith went down right before the season opener. Without any real practice reps at the position, the rookie stepped in and delivered a Pro Bowl season. Then, the next year, he moved back to guard and earned All-Pro honors.
So when the Cowboys told Prescott earlier this week that Smith would be moving back outside?
“There was no hesitation in my mind,” Prescott said. “There was no doubt of what he was going to be able to do and the way that he was going to play.
That’s a true football player and we’re blessed to have him on our side. He can play wherever we need him to.”
The Cowboys have long preached a “best five” philosophy when it comes to their offensive line. Right now, Tyler Smith is not just one of those five-he might be the most important piece of the puzzle. And depending on how the next few weeks go, his long-term position could be about to change in a big way.