Cowboys are already looking like geniuses following controversial draft pick

Many Dallas Cowboys fans were not happy campers when their team let eight-time Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith walk in NFL free agency and turned to Oklahoma product Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to replace him.

But thanks to Guyton's outstanding Week 1 preseason performance, the Cowboys look like geniuses for the executive decision that they made five months ago.

After battling an illness all week leading up to the Cowboys' first preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Guyton suited up to play for his childhood dream team.

"Amazing, a dream come true," he said about putting on a Cowboys uniform. "I've always wanted to wear the Star and finally got to do it. … I just thought about all the times I've watched the Cowboys play. It's really been years and years of me watching, and finally getting to play is super cool.

"I know that my family is super excited about it, I am super excited about it, and I just wish we would've won."

The Cowboys played him on a pitch count in the second offensive series, but he couldn't have looked more comfortable at left tackle as he showed off his athleticism and toughness in the limited amount of action he saw.

In fact, he looked so good that PFF handed him an 80.77 grade, the highest among all rookie tackles in preseason Week 1.

That is saying a lot since the 2024 rookie class was stacked with offensive tackle talent.

As he should have been, Guyton was happy with his efforts, despite the Cowboys losing 13-12 to LA.

“I think I did pretty good and handled my business," Guyton said of his preseason performance. "It was a workout, of course, but I got the butterflies out [on the] first play. The first time I hit somebody.”

Guyton has not missed a beat this offseason and is expected to step up at starting left tackle in place of the beloved Tyron Smith , which should only excite Cowboys fans -- especially after catching just a glimpse of him last week.

Related: 5 legit Cowboys' roster candidates that need to bounce back now to avoid being cut