[27/27] From left, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, executive vice president Stephen Jones, owner and general manager Jerry Jones and vice president of player personnel Will McClay address reporters at The Star in Frisco after the team selected Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton at No. 29 overall in 2024 NFL draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[1/27] Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy hugs fans during a draft party before the first round of the NFL Draft at The Star in Frisco on Thursday, April 25, 2024.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones and owner and general manager Jerry Jones address reporters during a press conference at The Star after the team selected Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton at No. 29 overall in 2024 NFL draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Frisco.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had some simple words for Tyler Guyton on the phone Thursday night.
“You are no longer a Sooner, you are a Dallas Cowboy, and we’re proud to have you,” Jones said.
If you couldn’t here the smile on Guyton’s face you still would’ve guessed it was there by the cheers of his family in the background.
The Oklahoma offensive tackle took the call from Austin, he said, after being drafted with the Cowboys’ No. 29 pick. Dallas received a third-round pick from the Detroit Lions and moved down from the No. 24 pick, but it still got its guy. Jones told media after the draft that they only had four players they were comfortable drafting late in the first round. Guyton was one of them.
Guyton started 13 games at right tackle and one at left tackle in 20 games for the Sooners. In Dallas, he will slot in on the left side, according to director of player personnel Stephen Jones, likely to take the place of Tyron Smith, who left in free agency. The move will solidify Tyler Smith at left guard.
“This is a sexy pick for an offensive lineman because he’s got a lot of upside. I’m excited about that,” Jones told media.
Related:Cowboys see first-round patience pay off, find way to address primary NFL draft objective
At 6-foot-7 and 322 pounds, Guyton will certainly bring a formidable physical presence, and Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy both touted his athleticism. On the phone with Guyton, who grew up a Cowboys fan, McCarthy told Guyton to bring something arguably even more important.
“Bring that big smile and that personality here,” McCarthy said.
After taking an unconventional path to the highest level of football — he was a dedicated basketball player before starting football late in high school — Guyton was all gratitude on the other end of the line as he talked with Cowboys staff, including offensive line coach Mike Solari.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Guyton told Solari through laughter. Solari told Guyton they would talk later after the hullabaloo of the draft had subsided.
“Yes sir,” Guyton said. “We’ll talk.”
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