Tyler Guyton is a gamble the Cowboys have to take in 2026
Some gambles are worth taking, other gambles are too risky, and still other gambles are ones that simply need to be taken regardless of risk. For Tyler Guyton and the Dallas Cowboys , it’s the third category that’s most fitting when looking to the 2026 season.
As a third-year player on a four-year rookie contract, the Cowboys are contractually committed to left tackle Tyler Guyton. The former first-round pick out of Oklahoma has been penciled in on the blindside since his rookie year. Despite his struggles with health and performance, Guyton’s place on the team remains as solid as ever. Why might a meritocracy such as the NFL reward such subpar efforts? Because the Cowboys don’t have a better option on hand and frankly, they couldn't afford to add one even if they wanted to.
The Cowboys 2026 offseason is all about talent acquisition. After finishing the prior campaign 7-9-1, they are in dire need of improvement across their roster, particularly on their last-ranked defense. Even with two first round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, they have far more roster needs than worthwhile picks. At some point they need existing rostered players to step up and realize their maximum potential, and that’s exactly where Guyton is today.
As the 29 th pick in the 2024 draft, the expectations are high for Guyton. What he lacks in starting experience and technique, he makes up for in size, athleticism and talent. The ingredients are there, but it’s up to Guyton to put everything together into something useful.
Expected swing tackle Nate Thomas impressed in training camp last summer and flashed a little during the regular season, but his potential appears capped and his total body of work was poor. Thomas is expected to improve in 2026 but to elevate to anything above a decent back-up option in just a year’s time is probably far-fetched.
Offensive tackle draft options exist in the first round but many of the linemen at the top of the draft project better as interior players than tackles. The last thing the Cowboys need is to spend another valuable first round pick on a player who’s better as a guard. There are a handful of other prospects found later in the first round who may end up viable starters, but they could also end up being projects just like Guyton.
With so many enormous needs on defense and a promising young player like Guyton at the ready, it makes the most sense for the Cowboys to give their former first round pick another shot at becoming a cornerstone left tackle. It has less to do with the sunk costs of three first round picks across the offensive line and more to do with seeing this investment through. Besides, new defensive investments must be made for a more balanced roster anyway.
Left tackle is an extremely important position in the NFL and in an ideal world the Cowboys could add a better pass protector to watch Dak Prescott ’s blindside in 2026. But the Cowboys are anything but ideal and they need to gamble on Guyton even if they think the odds might be against them. It's a gamble they have to make.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Tyler Guyton is a gamble the Cowboys have to take in 2026
