When the Dallas Cowboys traded back in the first round to snag Tyler Guyton, the internet did what it always does: it panicked. Fans saw a guy who had only started 14 games in college. They saw a "project." Honestly, the term "raw" was thrown around so much you’d think they were talking about a piece of sashimi rather than a 322-pound offensive tackle.
But if you actually look at the Tyler Guyton scouting report, the narrative of him being some sort of helpless developmental piece doesn't really hold water. He wasn't just a gym warrior with high PFF grades. He was a specific kind of athlete that NFL teams are becoming obsessed with.
The Freakish Athleticism No One Talks About Enough
Basically, Guyton is a mutant. You don't see many human beings who stand 6-foot-7 and can move their feet like they’re playing soccer. At the NFL Combine, he posted a 34.5-inch vertical jump. Think about that. A man who weighs more than three adult golden retrievers jumped higher than many starting wide receivers.
This athleticism is why the Cowboys felt comfortable moving him from right tackle—where he played at Oklahoma—to the left side to replace a legend like Tyron Smith. It wasn't just a "hope and a prayer" move.
- Height/Weight: 6'7", 322 lbs.
- Arm Length: 34 1/4 inches (The reach is real).
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.19 seconds.
- The "Guyton Glide": His ability to kick-slide in pass protection is remarkably smooth for a guy with his frame.
You've got to realize that Guyton started his college career as a tight end at TCU. He even caught a touchdown pass! That background shows in his footwork. He doesn’t "lumber" into his sets; he mirrors. When you watch the tape against speed rushers, he doesn't panic. He trusts his length.
Tyler Guyton Scouting Report: The Technical Flaws
Okay, let’s be real for a second. If he was perfect, he would’ve been a top-five pick. The reason he fell to the late first round is that his technique was, frankly, a bit of a mess at times.
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His biggest issue? Pad level. Because he's so tall, he has a natural tendency to play "high." In the NFL, if you play high, you lose. Leverage is everything. There were reps at Oklahoma where a shorter, more compact defensive end would get under his chest and just drive him into the lap of the quarterback.
Then there’s the hand placement. Guyton is a "pusher" sometimes. Instead of "punching" and locking on, he kind of shoves. It works in the Big 12 where you can just out-athlete people, but in the pros, guys like Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett will slap those hands away and be at the QB before you can blink.
He also has this habit of "lunging." He gets a bit over-eager in the run game, leans his weight too far forward, and if the defender moves, Guyton ends up face-planting in the dirt. It’s a classic "big man" mistake.
Why the Transition to Left Tackle Mattered
Transitioning from right tackle to left tackle is often compared to trying to write with your non-dominant hand. Everything is mirrored. Your lead foot changes. Your weight distribution flips.
For Guyton, this was even weirder because at Oklahoma, he was protecting the blindside of a left-handed quarterback (Dillon Gabriel) while playing right tackle. So, in a weird way, he was already playing the "left tackle role" even if he was on the right side of the formation. That specific detail is something most casual scouts missed. It made his jump to the Cowboys' left tackle spot way more natural than people expected.
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The Pro Performance: What the Stats Say
The 2024 season was a rollercoaster. People saw the penalties—and yeah, he had a bunch early on. Holding calls, illegal formation, the works. It was frustrating. But look at the underlying numbers.
According to PFF data, Guyton's pass-blocking efficiency actually stabilized significantly as the season went on. He wasn't giving up sacks in bunches. In fact, through his first several starts, he showed a remarkable ability to recover. Even when he got beat initially, his recovery speed allowed him to push rushers past the pocket.
He’s a "finisher." When he gets his hands on you and actually locks in, the rep is over. He has "heavy hands." You can hear the thud on the broadcast sometimes.
What Most People Get Wrong About His "Floor"
The common "Tyler Guyton scouting report" said he had a low floor. I disagree.
A player with 34-inch arms and that kind of lateral agility has a very high floor as a pass protector. Even if he never learns how to run block like a Pro Bowler, he can always get in the way of a pass rusher just by being massive and quick. The "bust" potential was always overblown.
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The real question was always about his "ceiling." If he ever figures out how to stay low and consistent with his hands, he’s a perennial Pro Bowl talent. He has the same physical profile as Lane Johnson or Tyron Smith. That’s the air he breathes in terms of raw potential.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're tracking Guyton's development or just curious how he'll look in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, watch these three specific things:
- The First Step: Does he look "heavy" or is he still explosive? If he gains too much weight, he might lose that elite recovery speed.
- Hand Fighting: Watch his hands in the first quarter. If he's grabbing cloth (jerseys) instead of hitting the chest plate, he's going to get flagged.
- Knee Bend: If he’s bending at the waist, he’s tired or lazy. If he’s sitting down in his stance, he’s going to dominate.
To really see if Guyton is evolving, keep an eye on his "True Pass Set" grades. Any tackle can look good when the QB gets rid of the ball in two seconds. The greats look good when the play breaks down and they have to hold a block for four seconds. That is where Tyler Guyton will either become a Cowboys legend or just another "what if."
Pay close attention to his matchups against veteran "power" rushers. Speed isn't his problem; it's the guys who can convert speed to power and test his anchor. If he handles the bull rush, he’s officially arrived.
Next Steps: You should check out the latest All-22 film breakdowns of his technique versus elite NFC East pass rushers to see how his hand placement has improved since his rookie debut.