The Dallas Cowboys had to fill a need on their offensive line during the 2022 NFL Draft. Owner Jerry Jones and his front office identified their man, but turned heads by selecting former Tulsa star Tyler Smith with the No. 24 overall pick.
While speaking with the media after the first round, Jerry Jones offered high praise for Tyler Smith, saying that the Cowboys were “very fortunate” to get him.
“We thought he has as much upside as anybody on the board,” Jerry Jones said, also informing the crowd his team had Smith at No. 16 overall on their board. The pick offers what he called “insurance” on the offensive line after trading away starting right tackle La’El Collins this offseason.
In addition, Jones also made sure that everyone in the room knew that they had options when they submitted the pick. He said the Cowboys war room received “three calls right at the buzzer,” but opted not to trade back.
ESPN analyst blasts Dallas Cowboys
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr ripped the selection, saying Smith needs some coaching if he wants to be a successful offensive lineman in the NFL. He admitted there’s plenty of talent in there, he thinks the Tulsa product will be a project for the Cowboys to develop.
“Tyler Smith just made sense,” Kiper said. “He’s a left tackle, he’s going to be a right tackle. That’s the hole that needs to be filled. Another guy who needs coaching. We talked about a lot of mean, nasty linemen this year. I think this has been the best year for that. That’s Tyler Smith. This guy will beat you up. But technique, hand placement, not good. First step, not good. He’s got to settle in, he’s got to be coached up, get much better technique. Plays big, he’s powerful. He’s 6-4 and a half, 324 pounds with incredibly long arms. Guard tackle in high school. Sloppy right now. Had 16 penalties — he grabs, he holds. Even at the collegiate level where you can get away with a lot of stuff, he couldn’t get away with it.
To prove to reporters that the Cowboys had Tyler Smith ranked higher on their board than Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson, Jerry Jones showed a copy of the team’s draft board.
Jerry Jones: “I’m dead serious.”
Stephen Jones: “Don’t show them that. … Put that sheet down.” pic.twitter.com/vvj2NV4aEr
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 29, 2022
“In the NFL, he’s a penalty waiting to happen until he’s coached up. Maybe he won’t be ready this year, but it’s up to the offensive line coach with this football team with the Cowboys to get him ready to be that right tackle. If he’s ready as a rookie, that’s remarkable coaching because he’s got work to do. But the talent, guys, is in abundance and you’ve got to love the physicality with which he plays.”
