The Dallas Cowboys selected offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the No. 29 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft after trading out of the 24th spot with the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys added a third-round pick (No. 73) while sending a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Lions.
The son of a former college basketball player, Guyton was a youth quarterback who primarily played basketball until joining the football team midway through his high school career. The 6-foot-7, 322-pound Guyton did not play offensive line in high school, playing defense instead.
Guyton eventually signed with TCU and transitioned to tight end before transferring to Oklahoma and moving to the offensive line. Guyton started five games (one at left tackle) in 2022 before starting nine for the Sooners last year. His burst, speed and ability at his size are — along with his frame — elite.
Much like Amarius Mims, Guyton is very low on experience. Just 14 games as a starting tackle in college and, really, only two years as a full-time offensive lineman. A natural athlete with elite bend, Guyton has a chance to be great. Nothing about his game, however, is consistent right now.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Guyton ranked No. 24 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Overall, Guyton is a work in progress in several areas and a steep learning curve should be expected for his rookie season, but he has the athletic tools and fundamental skills to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. He has the talent to play left or right tackle, although his comfort level is clearly on the right side. As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he will continue on an upward trajectory.”
Coaching intel
What an anonymous coach had to say about Guyton in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He still needs to get stronger and he tends to play too high, but he can do some things out there that are pretty special, given how big he is. He is so smooth and he isn’t on the ground much.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
At 6-7, 322 pounds, Guyton has the size that teams covet at tackle. He’s played mostly at right tackle, but could move to the left side. He might be have a steep learning curve as a rookie, but his ceiling is high and he could become a long-term fixture for a team at either tackle position.
A lot of NFL eyes on Tyler Guyton every time he takes a rep. pic.twitter.com/28qe8jgMHb
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 30, 2024
Come back for more analysis of Guyton.
(Top photo by James Black / Getty Images)
