Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith is the Cowboys’ best left tackle, but he does not want a full-time move. So, the Cowboys will keep Smith at left guard, creating a two-player competition to protect Dak Prescott’s blindside.
The Cowboys made Tyler Guyton the 29th overall pick in 2024, but his inconsistency and his health have opened the door for Nate Thomas to win the job. Thomas, a seventh-round pick in 2024, made his first four career starts last season.
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During the offseason program, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer declared it an open competition.
“For me, it really comes down to technique and the habits that you build,” Thomas said last month, via Patrik Walker of the team website. “Last year, it was my first year playing — coming off of injury from the year before. This has really been my first real offseason to train and get better, so that’s what I did.”
Despite being drafted 204 picks after Guyton in 2024, Thomas has learned that the NFL is a meritocracy. He has a real chance to win the job, and Thomas feels better prepared after 341 snaps last season and an offseason working with Duke Manyweather of OL Masterminds.
“I took what I did last year — the good, the bad, the things I need to work on — and went to Duke, the dude I train with, and I said, ‘Hey, help me fix some of these things that I’m having trouble with,” Thomas said. “That’s what I did.”
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