Dallas Cowboys select Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton at No. 29 overall in 2024 NFL draft

The Cowboys could have drafted Tyler Guyton at No. 24 overall Thursday in the first round.

Instead, they traded back with the Detroit Lions and acquired a second third-round pick Friday.

Then, they drafted Guyton.

At No. 29 overall, Dallas selected the former TCU-turned-Oklahoma tackle. His presence is expected to lock in Tyler Smith at left guard for the foreseeable future. Guyton started 13 college games at right tackle and one at left tackle but projects to the left side in Dallas.

Last month, the Cowboys lost two starters on their offensive line when left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz signed with the New York Jets and Washington Commanders, respectively. Those departures, plus right guard Zack Martin’s cloudy future in 2025 following a contract year, made an offensive lineman the likely target.

Guyton, who is 6-7 and 322 pounds, became the fifth offensive lineman this current Cowboys front office has selected in the first round. Its batting average on the others — Tyler Smith (2022, No. 24 overall), Martin (2014, No. 16), center Travis Frederick (2013, No. 31) and Tyron Smith (2011, No. 9) — is 1.000.

Guyton grew up a Cowboys fan in Manor, Texas, located just northeast of Austin. Basketball was his athletic focus before playing football late in high school. He is considered an excellent athlete but, as to be expected with his hours on task, is still honing some of the technical aspects of his position.

According to Pro Football Focus, Guyton played 1,011 snaps at right tackle for the Sooners compared with 70 on the left side.

No doubt, a learning curve awaits in the NFL on the left side. Playing beside Tyler Smith, a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro selection in 2023, will only help.

“That was the most exciting for me honestly,” Guyton told Cowboys reporters in a conference call. “I get a guard that’s a dawg. I love how he plays. ...I feel like we’re going to thrive together. I love his nasty edge and his ferocious mentality. Hopefully, I can piggyback off of him.”

Dallas swapped first-round picks with Detroit while acquiring the No. 73 overall choice.

To complete the deal, the Cowboys also parted with a 2025 seventh-round pick. That is not a huge loss, especially when considering the franchise is expected to have an NFL-high four compensatory picks in 2025. Former Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson were among the notable players who were drafted in the space between the No. 24 and 29 picks.

The Lions chose ex-Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 24.

More Day 1 NFL draft coverage

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— Micah Parsons ‘utterly disgusted’ by Eagles’ draft pick; ‘not mad’ at Cowboys’ selection

— Dallas Cowboys select Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton at No. 29 overall in 2024 NFL draft

— National reactions to Dallas Cowboys’ drafting of OT Tyler Guyton: ‘Heck of a story’

— NFL draft live updates: Dallas Cowboys trade down from No. 24, make pick at No. 29

— Listen: Tyler Guyton gets the call from Cowboys after being drafted at No. 29 overall

— 5 things to know about Tyler Guyton, the Oklahoma product joining Cowboys’ offensive line

— 2024 NFL draft grades: Our experts grade Cowboys’ selection of Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

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