Has left tackle been a concern?

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What do you read into the Cowboys drafting Drew Shelton in the fourth round and being expected to sign both Sidney Fugar and Shiyazh Pete as undrafted free agents, all of whom played left tackle in Power 4 conferences? Has the team been concerned about the position? – Roger Anderson/San Diego, CA

Patrik: Anyone who thinks not should check the wifi under that rock they’ve been living under. Let’s cut right to the chase here, because there’s no point in beating around the bush. Tyler Guyton has the potential to be a very good starter in this league, but injuries have been a huge concern in his first two years, to the point the Cowboys forced (key word) All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith to left tackle before the 2025 season ended. Was it simply because of Guyton’s unavailability, though? Nope, and that simply furthers my point.

Nate Thomas came on strong at swing tackle, to the point where he played over Guyton when the latter wasn’t on IR but also wasn’t 100 percent healthy. Thomas went down with injury too, thus the move of Smith, who has made it clear he wants to stay at guard (shades of Zack Martin being capable of popping outside but publicly loathing it to media). So when you see the Cowboys draft a left tackle (Drew Shelton) and then add the two you named in undrafted free agency, just know it’s because they have concerns, but those can be put to bed by Guyton staying on the field.