Who Is The Backup Left Tackle Who Can Fight for the Cowboys Starting Job?
The Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft took a swing at left tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round with the hopes of him becoming their left tackle of the future. While the expectations were and still are high, Guyton found trouble in his rookie year dealing with them. Even being benched throughout games and admitting in this year’s offseason that he took the wrong approach towards working for that job and playing. What could shock Guyton and the Cowboys is the potential rise of another left tackle who was taken a year prior, late in the NFL draft, but has shown strides in his time playing, Asim Richards, who was taken with the 169th pick of the 2023 draft. He could fight for the starting job and possibly win it this upcoming season.
Richards had small expectations to start his NFL career after being selected out of North Carolina; however, he showed what he was capable of at Chapel Hill. Despite being considered an undersized guard for the NFL level entering the draft, Richards proved his strength in college by protecting Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. His pure strength is what stood out most, helping the Tar Heels whether it was moving the line of scrimmage in run or pass-blocking plays. His senior year is where his play elevated, letting up only three sacks in over 1050 snaps, which led him to earn third-team All-ACC honors, which then prompted him to be selected in the 2023 NFL draft.
The idea of Guyton being benched is not as far-fetched as many fans or people around the NFL may think. Being the blindside tackle for the biggest team in the sport brings lots of eyes and attention towards him, so small slip-ups could warrant a decision change. Guyton has made it known he is ready to correct the mistakes he made in his rookie season, but errors are still inevitable. With Richards being on the team as well, it brings good competition for both of them, and who knows, Brian Schottenheimer might not grant Guyton the starting role from day one in training camp. Which gives Richards the perfect chance to take his opportunity and run away with it. It might not be the greatest that Dallas spent a first-round pick on a left tackle who would end up being benched, but if Richards shows why he should be the starter and plays well enough in camp against great pass rushers, then Dallas fans should not be worried about the decision and just hope for the best to come.
