DAL Tyler Smith
NFL player. Position: OL (Guard). Team: DAL.
Quick Facts
- Position: Left Guard
- Team: DAL (Dallas Cowboys)
- Draft: 2022 NFL Draft, 1st round (Tulsa)
2026 Outlook
Tyler Smith enters 2026 as the consensus best interior offensive lineman in the NFL, voted #1 by executives, coaches, and scouts in an ESPN poll. The 25-year-old has earned three consecutive Pro Bowls (2023-2025) and was a second-team All-Pro at guard in 2023, transitioning from tackle (where injury thrust him into his rookie year) to elite guard after moving inside in 2023. His rare combination of size, athleticism, strength, and finish makes him a centerpiece of the Cowboys' offensive infrastructure. Win rates of 72.1% in the running game and 95.2% in the passing game provide quality but not elite efficiency metrics, yet observers note his elite flash and raw ability drive his ranking above peers. He'll anchor an interior line alongside second-year guard Tyler Booker and center Cooper Beebe, positioning the Cowboys to maintain one of the league's best interior units. (per Cowboys' Tyler Smith voted best interior OL in NFL by executives, coaches, scouts).
Contract restructure demonstrates long-term commitment (Feb 28): Cowboys restructured Smith's contract in late February, freeing up approximately $17M in cap space while keeping his core player under contract. The restructure—part of a $66M total cap-management strategy alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb—confirms Dallas' confidence in Smith as the anchor of their elite interior offensive line heading into 2026 (per Cowboys restructure contracts of 3 star players, freeing up nearly $66M in NFL cap space - The Big Lead)
Role / Depth Chart
Starter at left guard for the Dallas Cowboys.
Injury Status
Left thumb torn UCL requiring surgery completed Sept 8. Smith initially tried to play through the injury during joint practices against New Orleans (Aug 18), but couldn't properly grip and hand-fight at the line—"I couldn't grab, I couldn't punch. … I just couldn't do my job as an o-lineman." He ultimately chose surgery to protect his long-term career over playing through it, describing the decision as "one of the hardest things I've gone through." Out minimum 4 games (4-6 weeks recovery). Smith expected to play Thursday vs. Tampa Bay (Week 5) if he clears medical approval for the short-week game. T.J. Bass filled in at left guard during Smith's absence. (per Cowboys Headlines: Changes coming to FG unit; latest on Overshown, Tyler Smith returns) (per Why Tyler Smith's thumb surgery was among 'the hardest things' Cowboys OG has gone through).
Recent News
- 2026-10-07 — Cowboys Headlines: Changes coming to FG unit; latest on Overshown, Tyler Smith returns (Cowboys Headlines: Changes coming to FG unit; latest on Overshown, Tyler Smith returns)
- 2026-10-05 — Why Tyler Smith's thumb surgery was among 'the hardest things' Cowboys OG has gone through (Why Tyler Smith's thumb surgery was among 'the hardest things' Cowboys OG has gone through)
- 2026-09-07 — Dak Prescott Faces Challenge as Key Offensive Lineman Tyler Smith Undergoes Surgery (Dak Prescott Faces Challenge as Key Offensive Lineman Tyler Smith Undergoes Surgery)
- 2026-09-08 — Cowboys remain confident despite Tyler Smith’s injury ahead of Week 1 clash vs NY Giants (Cowboys remain confident despite Tyler Smith’s injury ahead of Week 1 clash vs NY Giants)
- 2026-09-07 — NFL Week 1 Injury News: Latest On Nick Bosa, Jonathon Brooks, Tyler Smith (NFL Week 1 Injury News: Latest On Nick Bosa, Jonathon Brooks, Tyler Smith)
- 2026-09-07 — Cowboys G Tyler Smith to miss at least a month with thumb injury (Cowboys G Tyler Smith to miss at least a month with thumb injury)
- 2026-09-07 — Cowboys guard Tyler Smith to have thumb surgery, headed for IR (Cowboys guard Tyler Smith to have thumb surgery, headed for IR)
- 2026-09-07 — Cowboys three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith to undergo thumb surgery, out 4-6 weeks (Cowboys three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith to undergo thumb surgery, out 4-6 weeks)
- 2026-07-13 — Cowboys' Tyler Smith voted best interior OL in NFL by executives, coaches, scouts (Cowboys' Tyler Smith voted best interior OL in NFL by executives, coaches, scouts)