Smith is being moved inside, and under the shadow of the Pro Bowler next to him. His physicality and being inside should ease the transition he has with hand placements and removing penalty opportunities through time. He is quick and very strong at holding his point. He projects now, to a strong start at left guard and a future for left tackle.
This will curb some of the penalty environment in directional change.
As to moving into the future, now, I like the indicators with the other tackle taken in this draft...
“In my later years in high school, I had a lot of the baby fat,” Waletzko said. My first year [at North Dakota], I was 320, and then at fall camp, I just shed like 15 pounds. The workouts in college and nutrition and everything, it just kind of helps shape your body. But I really made an emphasis for myself to change my body, because I knew playing in that division, we had to be able to move, had to be agile, have strength, have good feet. And I just felt like I wasn’t at that point with the weight I was at coming in. So I made the changes. I feel really good right now. Just with my frame, I think I have room for more. Ultimately, being at that 312, 315, maybe even 320, when I get in the NFL, I think will be a good number for me.”
Projecting the Cowboys offensive tackle position for 2022 and beyond - Blogging The Boys
This group is focused as well as dedicated at the level of hard work.
The protection for Dak Prescott is here, now and improving. Having both Marting and the 'old' Smith doesn't hurt on positional improvements for Dak.