FRISCO, Texas — Tyler Guyton didn’t mind the 90-degree Texas heat during the final day of Dallas Cowboys minicamp Wednesday. He prides himself on a work ethic that’s built on a genuine love for the game.
“Good,” he told The Athletic when asked about it after practice. “I f—ing love it. That’s football, man. That’s the game you signed up for. You want it to be hot and nasty out there. We’re putting in work. Everybody is doing this s— together. We have one collective goal and we’re doing everything we can to reach it.”
Advertisem*nt
The organized team activities and minicamp portion of the offseason program haven’t gone exactly how Dallas’ first-round pick expected. He’s been working to refine his technique and improve as a run blocker, lining up as the second-team left tackle.
“It’s a little bit different than I thought,” he said. “I love it, though. It’s just I didn’t know what I didn’t know. It’s just getting acclimated to new techniques and things like that, all of the new plays. It’s been fun, but it’s also been a challenge, for sure.
“I feel like I’m more in shape than I’ve ever been.”
Tyler Guyton pic.twitter.com/yoYjnz4Z7N
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 5, 2024
Getting picked by Dallas was a dream scenario for Guyton and his family of Cowboys fans. He doesn’t have a star on his helmet yet, but he now officially feels like he’s part of the organization.
“I started building relationships with guys I used to look up to,” he said. “And I still do. But my idols are recognizing me as a teammate, and I think that’s cool. I definitely had to earn my respect.
“It’s been cool getting to see their process and how they go about things. Playing football, it’s an extremely high-level sport and these guys are really pros and I can see why.”
Dak Prescott is one of the players Guyton has been watching. The Cowboys franchise quarterback had high praise for Guyton and the rookie class Wednesday, saying it’s the best he’s been around.
“Just how smart they are,” Prescott said. “Them understanding the attention to details, following the old guys, asking questions, not being hesitant. A lot of times you get rookies come in, eyes are down. This group walks around, head up, looking to engage in conversation, looking to learn. It starts with Guyton, honestly. Leader of that group, first pick. And he’s done a great job as the rest of them have of coming in, having a great offseason, making sure they hit training camp full speed.”
Advertisem*nt
There are six weeks until the Cowboys report to Oxnard, Calif., for the start of training camp. Between now and then, Guyton plans to stay in the area and continue working out with offensive line expert Duke Manyweather. That’s the plan for several of Dallas’ offensive linemen.
“I’m just following in the footsteps of the guys ahead of me and figuring it all out,” Guyton said. “I definitely feel like (that work) will transfer. They work hand in hand together. He has good techniques over there.”
Guyton said he feels fortunate that the Cowboys offensive line room has “welcomed me with open arms.”
“Every guy in the room helps out the rookies,” he added. “That’s pretty rare, I’ve heard. I couldn’t be in a better situation, honestly.”
The former starting right tackle at Oklahoma was drafted 29th overall to replace eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, who signed with the New York Jets in March. None of the Cowboys rookies worked with the first team during the portions of practice open to reporters. Those spots have to be earned. The first-team offensive line during OTAs and minicamp was Chuma Edoga at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Brock Hoffman at center, T.J. Bass at right guard and Terence Steele at right tackle.
The most likely Week 1 starting offensive line is Guyton at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, rookie Cooper Beebe at center, Zack Martin at right guard and Steele at right tackle.
“I’m just telling him to be confident,” Smith said. “His tools are outrageous. The dude is long. The dude is athletic. He has so many gifts. Right now, I’m just trying to give him the cheat codes.”
GO DEEPERWhy Cowboys' Micah Parsons is just fine waiting to get his next contractWhat is Guyton’s Year 1 goal?
“Whatever my role is,” he said. “Making this team better any way that I can. Any way I can contribute to making us better and helping us win, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Does he expect to be a starter?
“I’ll leave that up to the coaches,” Guyton said. “I’m going to put my best foot forward so I can be in that position. But if I’m not, I’m not.”
Advertisem*nt
There’s likely to be some challenging days ahead. If he’s starting Week 1, Guyton’s going to see a lot of the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. The 2017 No. 1 pick has reached double-digit sacks in each of the last six seasons, including 14 last year.
But Guyton’s first real test will come in California in late July when the pads are finally on and he has to square up with All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Guyton said of that matchup. “I think we’re gonna make each other better.”
(Photo: Chris Jones / USA Today)
Jon Machota is a staff writer covering the Dallas Cowboys for The Athletic. He previously covered the Cowboys for The Dallas Morning News. He's a Detroit native and graduate of Wayne State University. Follow Jon on Twitter @jonmachota
