​The Dallas Cowboys have ample reason to feel proud after ESPN’s most recent poll crowned Tyler Smith as the top offensive lineman among guards and centers. Since entering the league, Smith has established himself as one of the most dominant guards in football, a testament to his consistency and impact on the field. He has shown versatility by smoothly shifting to left tackle when needed and holding his own on the edge, qualities that have made him a standout asset for Dallas. Smith has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ rebuilt offensive line, and his continued health could keep the unit trending upward, with him at the helm guiding the group into a promising future.
Another Cowboys lineman aiming to turn things around is Terence Steele. He accepted a significant pay cut this offseason to remain with the team, a move that underscores the confidence the organization has in his abilities. When at his best, Steele is a strong contributor, especially in the running game. The lingering question has been his performance in pass protection, which has led to debates about whether he should continue as the starting right tackle. If Steele can elevate his pass-blocking game to match the level of his run-blocking, he could quiet critics and secure his starting spot on Dallas’s offensive line for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s recognition of Tyler Smith as the top guard/center in the league sits against a broader backdrop of Dallas’s ongoing offensive-line development. Smith’s emergence has helped stabilize the interior, and his leadership role within the unit is evident as the Cowboys aim to build consistency at a position that has long been a focal point for the team’s success. The hope is that Smith’s continued health and high-level play will keep the interior cohesive, enabling the Cowboys to execute more effectively in both pass protection and the run game.
For Steele, the task is clear: refine his pass protection to complement what he already brings as a powerful run blocker. With steady improvement, he can reaffirm his value to the lineup and reinforce Dallas’s confidence in his capabilities. The balance between Smith’s reliability at multiple positions and Steele’s potential to upgrade protection could be the decisive factor in how far the Cowboys’ offense can go in the coming seasons.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys’ offensive line appears poised to grow stronger as a unit, with Smith providing a dependable anchor and Steele’s trajectory remaining tied to his development in pass protection. Should health hold, and if both players continue to evolve, the offensive line could become one of the team’s most trusted strengths, enabling Dallas to unlock more consistent production across the offense and compete at the highest level in a demanding NFC environment.