While Moton has written that Cowboys fans need to prepare for a potentially disappointing season from Smith, writer David Helman feels differently. He’s explosive and athletic but struggles to sustain and finish what he starts.”Ĭowboys Have Obvious Reasons for Optimism “Smith is able to displace defenders as a run blocker despite lacking proper hand usage for leverage. “Power merchant who plays the game with a field demeanor that can work in his favor on one play and against him on the next snap,” Zierlein wrote.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein broke down that Smith has a serious advantage with strength, but that he needs to level up his game around it. Save for an absence due to suspension, Smith started 21 games over the past two years. Smith was not a four-year starter, but he is coming off two seasons with the Golden Hurricanes in which he started each game he was available. Smith utilized his power often, and it was able to mask some of the technical shortcomings that prevented him from being a top 10 pick in this year’s draft. There was one thing very clear about Smith during his time at Tulsa: strength.
For the rookie, a shift from the perimeter to the interior could come with growing pains in regular-season action.”ĪLL the latest Dallas Cowboys news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Cowboys newsletter here! “Smith may become the eventual replacement for left tackle Tyron Smith, but the Cowboys inserted him in a competition with Connor McGovern at left guard following the departure of Connor Williams.
“Cowboys fans should be particularly careful with early evaluations of Smith because he’s going to transition from being a collegiate tackle at Tulsa to a guard in his first year at the pro level,” Moton wrote.