Virtually all the scouting services had him as a first rd pick. You expect any first rd pick to if not start play a lot their first year. So ipsofacto Smith starting is no surprise at all.
Given his physical gifts, also not surprising he can handle that part of the position. What was up in the air was his technique and of course penalties. So far penalties are not a problem and he has shown decent if not great technique.
Smith’s technique is inconsistent enough that he probably shouldn’t be relied upon as a Day 1 starter at the NFL level.
There is some bust potential present, but the ceiling could draw a team to him on Day 2 of the draft.
GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 64
If Smith is drafted on his potential alone teams could argue he has value in the first round but currently, we consider him as a likely third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
This upside could warrant a late first-round pick, but he’s more likely to come off the board early on Day 2.
Projection: Top 50
these are blurbs from the first 5 “Tyler Smith scouting reports” google results. Virtually all of the scouting reports did not have him as a first rounder. Sone had him as a fringe first rounder. ALL of them harped on his rawness and Dallas specifically drafted him to play OG. Him starting is not a surprise. Him playing so well this quickly is the surprise. Considering what “virtually all of the scouting services” actually said about him, along with the noted technique and penalty issues..Kudos if you saw it coming though.