Second-year NFL players poised for breakout seasons - Guyton is one

[big dog cowboy]

Second-year NFL players poised for breakout seasons: Chiefs' Xavier Worthy, Cowboys' Tyler Guyton headline
These Year 2 players are primed to level up in 2025
By Garrett Podell 5/20/25

Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, the Dallas Cowboys' 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had an uphill battle as a rookie. Dallas drafted him to replace a likely future Hall of Fame left tackle in Tyron Smith despite Guyton playing right tackle in college at Oklahoma. That led to an up-and-down year in which he struggled to master life at the opposite spot on the offensive line, which led to frequent penalty issues.

Guyton had 14 penalties called against him that were accepted, which was tied for the second-most in the entire NFL in 2024. Ill-timed false starts particularly come to mind. However, he has the physical frame (6-foot-7, 322 pounds) to be a solid NFL left tackle. Another year at the position, plus a much more focused offseason, could help Guyton level up to being a solid starter, something that would be a major boon for the Cowboys in 2025.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-xavier-worthy-cowboys-tyler-guyton-headline/

 

[big dog cowboy]

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-guyton/32004755-5973-4424-47c4-5396aaed336f

Overview
Ascending tackle prospect with the traits and tape to project a bright future as a high-level pass protector in the league. Guyton has battled injuries and had limited reps coming over from TCU after the 2021 season, but his flashes have been complemented by increasing consistency. He plays with a high center of gravity and needs to get stronger, but leveraged hand strikes can help overcome those concerns. He should continue to get better as a run blocker but might never shine in that department. Guyton’s value comes with his pass protection, as he has the length, feet and body control to become a human roadblock. He should become a talented starter at either tackle position.

Draft Projection: Round 1

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Boy do we need this to be true….

 

[MarcusRock]

I'll take serviceable before breakout. Hope he gets it done.

 

[Pass2Run]

I'll believe it when I see it. I see plenty of physical tools. Not sure on the desire, motivation and mental aspect

For whatever reason, I remain skeptical.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Guyton had 14 penalties called against him that were accepted, which was tied for the second-most in the entire NFL in 2024. Ill-timed false starts particularly come to mind. However, he has the physical frame (6-foot-7, 322 pounds) to be a solid NFL left tackle. Another year at the position, plus a much more focused offseason, could help Guyton level up to being a solid starter, something that would be a major boon for the Cowboys in 2025.

Tyron Smith spoiled us .........the standards/our expectations for LT is very high. The truth is, we don't need Guyton to be an ALL-PRO or Pro Bowler, just a solid starter.

 

[Proof]

I'll take serviceable before breakout. Hope he gets it done.

and serviceable would likely lead to considerable improvement on the line as a whole. i get why people are down on him, but he's immensely talented, and in a great position with other highly pedigreed linemates. can't pencil it in, but i do really think it's not a stretch to believe he improves.

 

[jazzcat22]

A lot going on with him to improve. Has a year experience in the NFL now. Will know what to expect, and know what is expected from him.

Going into his 2nd TC and with new coaching and schemes, and hopefully both are better for the entire OL, and team.
And going into his 2nd season after being switched fro RT to LT coming out of college and going against much better DE than in college, was a big change. Now he has a better understanding.

Sometimes, many times it is hard for a 20 year old going to a new area to live, making friends, learning the NFL ways, can take a little longer than others.
And that is for life in general for people, families making big moves to new areas.

 

[gtb1943]

A lot going on with him to improve. Has a year experience in the NFL now. Will know what to expect, and know what is expected from him.

Going into his 2nd TC and with new coaching and schemes, and hopefully both are better for the entire OL, and team.
And going into his 2nd season after being switched fro RT to LT coming out of college and going against much better DE than in college, was a big change. Now he has a better understanding.

Sometimes, many times it is hard for a 20 year old going to a new area to live, making friends, learning the NFL ways, can take a little longer than others.
And that is for life in general for people, families making big moves to new areas.

should never have been expected to come out of the box shining like Zach and company. He simply had too little experience in college; too raw.
Totally stupid to throw him into the fire like he was and expect him to excel
actually should not have had him starting.

 

[J-man]

I don't ever want to put such high expectations on a guy who comes in following a FHOF player. (much like we're doing right now with Booker following Martin BTW)
But that's exactly what happened with this kid. We were so spoiled by the greatness of Tyron Smith that we forgot what a normal LT is actually like.
No one should have expected an instant All Pro in year 1. We all knew ahead of time that he needed time to adjust to the new position, adjust to NFL defenses, the strength of the players and that he needed to get stronger himself in order for him to be considered a good player for us.
And TBH, he did pretty well as a rookie going against some of the best defensive players in the league last year.
Now I have heard that he has been in the facility all off season getting stronger and ready to go. I also believe that this season we have a much better O-line coaching staff that will help him progress even more.
That all makes me hopeful that he will be very much improved this year. That doesn't mean that he needs to be an all star/all pro to be considered successful. If he's noticeably better, cuts down on the penalties and is at least solid, I'll take it. Because that shows me improvement, and that trend should continue with time.

 

[Jimbo123]

Great article about how hard it is to switch sides of the line.

 

[DeaconMoss]

He was a RT. He might never be a LT. Smith Richards combo should have manned the left side last year.

 

[gimmesix]

Second-year NFL players poised for breakout seasons: Chiefs' Xavier Worthy, Cowboys' Tyler Guyton headline
These Year 2 players are primed to level up in 2025
By Garrett Podell 5/20/25

Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, the Dallas Cowboys' 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had an uphill battle as a rookie. Dallas drafted him to replace a likely future Hall of Fame left tackle in Tyron Smith despite Guyton playing right tackle in college at Oklahoma. That led to an up-and-down year in which he struggled to master life at the opposite spot on the offensive line, which led to frequent penalty issues.

Guyton had 14 penalties called against him that were accepted, which was tied for the second-most in the entire NFL in 2024. Ill-timed false starts particularly come to mind. However, he has the physical frame (6-foot-7, 322 pounds) to be a solid NFL left tackle. Another year at the position, plus a much more focused offseason, could help Guyton level up to being a solid starter, something that would be a major boon for the Cowboys in 2025.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-xavier-worthy-cowboys-tyler-guyton-headline/

Nice way of saying it can't get much worse.

 

[gimmesix]

Great article about how hard it is to switch sides of the line.

It is definitely a difficult thing to ask of a player, especially a rookie. He should have been brought along slowly, probably learning behind Tyron for a year. Hopefully, another year practicing exclusively on that side will help. La'el Collins similarly struggled when he was moved to right tackle.

 

[maryquality]

Well, I hope so, or we're in trouble!!

 

[TheDank]

Logically I would expect a jump because the tools are there. The only thing that concerned me was the manyweather comment earlier in the off-season.

I wasn't a fan of Guyton in the draft, but I saw enough flashes to believe if he puts in the work, despite the rough start.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

should never have been expected to come out of the box shining like Zach and company. He simply had too little experience in college; too raw.
Totally stupid to throw him into the fire like he was and expect him to excel
actually should not have had him starting.

Actually, wasn't Edoga listed as the starter and then got hurt in preseason? That kept him out the first half of the season so they went with Guyton.

 

[75boyz]

To totally dismiss the film of his catastrophic rookie year is a mistake.
It wasn't just a right to left side transition issue combined with college to pro level competition.

The feet and even more so, his balance, is a major concern.

Fundamental playing balance as a 6' 7" tackle in the NFL is his problem.

Is this something that can be fixed or will he always appear as a newborn animal who is not used to his new legs underneath him?

I have my doubts.
Go check Evan Neal on tape at right tackle with the Giants. He was the 7th overall pick. You'll see the same thing. 6'7" guy too.

Cowboys!

 

[75boyz]

Nice way of saying it can't get much worse.

Yep, exactly.
If absolute garbage performance from a year prior is the baseline, there's no where to go but up.

Hopefully...

Cowboys!

 

[shabazz]

Xavier Worthy should have no problem with going over 1000 yards in his sophomore season......hes got "Him" throwing the rock to him