Dallas Cowboys' Left Tackle Battle Heats Up

On May 2nd, the Dallas Cowboys are bringing back all five starting offensive linemen from

last season, but left tackle Tyler Gaiden ain't locked in.

For his spot, after a rocky start to his pro career, this 24-year-old flipped from right

tackle in college to the blindside in Dallas after they took him 29th overall in the 20th.

24 draft.

His rookie year was rough with six sacks allowed in 18 penalties, though he bounced back

a bit in 2025 before an ankle injury, sidelineed him after 10 starts.

Now the team's opening up a real battle at left tackle this summer, pitting Gaiden against

7th rounder Nathan Thomas from last year, and this.

Years 4th round pick, Drew Shelton.

Thomas stepped in mid-season but got benched for too many pressures, while Tyler Smith

shifted over temporarily from guard and held it down.

Shelton, a 22-year-old with 34 college, starts at Penn State, brings smooth feet and

upside, even if his arm length is short for the.

Pros.

Coach Brian Shahnheimer's hyping his athleticism from rookie camp, saying they drafted

him to push the vets right away.

If none of these guys step up, they might shuffle Smith back to tackle and mess with their

pro-bowl guard trio, but Dallas wants that interior locked, in with steel at right tackle.

It's a high-stakes summer grind for the line protecting their big money QB.