As the Dallas Cowboys begin to navigate contract talks for several of their young stars, offensive lineman Tyler Smith stands out as a key name on the list. Drafted in the first round in 2022, Smith has quickly blossomed into one of the NFL’s top young offensive linemen. His performance has garnered national recognition, including All-Pro honors, making him a cornerstone for the franchise’s future.
Recent contract projections for Smith, however, appear to be on the conservative side. While it’s normal for early projections to be cautious, some fans and analysts feel the estimates don’t yet reflect Smith’s full value—both on the field and in the locker room. Still, there’s a case to be made that the current projections are more about strategy than slight.
Smith has shown remarkable versatility and durability since entering the league. Initially drafted to be a long-term replacement at left tackle, Smith was quickly thrust into a starting guard role due to injuries on the line. Instead of struggling with the transition, he thrived—earning high marks for his blocking efficiency, toughness, and football IQ. His ability to play multiple positions at a high level adds significant value to his profile, especially in a league where offensive line depth is hard to come by.
The early contract projection—reportedly below what some comparable All-Pro linemen are making—could be part of the Cowboys’ front office approach to managing their cap space while juggling multiple contract situations. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all due for extensions in the near future, Dallas has to think long-term. A team-friendly deal for Smith might make sense on paper, but it’s unlikely to go unnoticed by the player or his representation.
Still, the projection should not be viewed as a dismissal of Smith’s value. Rather, it may be a starting point for negotiations that could eventually land him among the highest-paid interior linemen in the league. The Cowboys have a history of rewarding their homegrown talent, and it’s hard to imagine them letting a young, ascending star like Smith feel undervalued for long.
There’s also a broader market trend to consider. The offensive guard position has traditionally been less lucrative than left tackle or edge rusher, but that’s slowly changing as more teams invest in protecting the quarterback from interior pressure. Smith’s youth, performance, and potential will almost certainly command a significant deal—if not this offseason, then soon after.
In the end, the conservative nature of the early contract projection may simply reflect an initial step in a longer process. Tyler Smith has proven he’s not only a dependable presence on the offensive line, but also one of the Cowboys’ most important building blocks. As negotiations unfold, fans can expect the final deal to better reflect the value he brings to the team—both now and in the future.
