Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: G Tyler Smith

Getting their offensive line back to dominance is still a work in progress for the the Cowboys. But one piece is already in place with Tyler Smith, unanimously considered one of the NFL’s top guards. Perhaps Dallas’ best offensive player overall, Smith returns in 2026 as a key element to the team’s competitive goals.

Background

Years in NFL: 4
Acquired by: 2022 1st-round pick

Before 2022, the Cowboys hadn’t spent a first-rounder on an offensive lineman since Zack Martin in 2014. There had been plenty of mid-round picks along the way: Chaz Green, Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz, and Josh Ball all coming between Rounds 2-4. But when Dallas selected Smith, a multi-year starting left tackle at Tula, it felt less like maintenance and more the beginning of a new offensive line era.

Zack Martin and Tyron Smith were still around as the veteran fixtures, though the elder Smith was becoming harder to rely on with injuries. Sure enough, he suffered a major leg injury in a late-August practice. The Cowboys decided their best option was to use Tyler, who’d been preparing all offseason to play left guard, as Tyron’s replacement. He started all 17 games, even keeping the spot after Tyron returned from injury. Despite reasonable struggles a rookie, especially given his short-notice position switch, Smith still impressed enough to be named to the All-Rookie Team.

With Tyron back in 2023, Tyler resumed his original course to guard. The benefit was immediate as he went from an average tackle the year before to an elite guard, making his first Pro Bowl and being named a Second-Team All-Pro. He has gone back to the Pro Bowl every year since, and is consistently mentioned among the league’s best players at his position.

With the old guard having moved on, Smith is now the heir to their throne. We hope he’ll share that status with Tyler Booker, and Cooper Beebe, and others in the coming years. But for now, Smith stands alone as the one true star on the offensive line and its clear leader going forward.

Contract Status

Years Left: 5
2026 Cap Hit: $10.3 million

When Dallas gave Smith a big extension last year, making him the NFL’s highest-paid guard, it was with full intention of massaging every bit of cap space they could through annual restructuring. He’ll only be 30 when the current deal ends, so the Cowboys have little concern for preserving their leverage in the later years.

2026 Projections

Role: Starting LG
Roster Chance: 100%

There’s only one way that Smith isn’t starting at left guard this year, and it’s if he somehow becomes the starting left tackle. It’s been talked about ever since his rookie season, but Dallas has tried hard to keep Smith where he’s a dominant player and where he has clearly stated he wants to be. But until Tyler Guyton or someone else solidifies the spot to his left, Smith will always have that possibility looming over him.

At this point, it would take three different players failing to step up to force Smith’s move. It’s Guyton’s job to lose at the moment, but Nate Thomas is on his heels and now rookie Drew Shelton is in the mix. If Guyton were to have a bad summer, the Cowboys would likely explore Thomas and Shelton’s ability to handle the job before turning to Smith. But given the importance of the position, and with T.J. Bass ready to step in as a solid starting guard, it may ultimately be Dallas’ best way to get their five best o-linemen on the field.

Hopefully, for everyone’s sakes, it’s a conversation that we won’t need to revisit anytime soon. We want Tyler Smith doing what he does best, and for other guys to do their part to keep him there. At the very least, having Smith as a “glass case” option at left tackle does help the Cowboys’ roster decisions next month.

Check out our previous player profiles from this series:

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