Cowboys create left tackle competition, with Nate Thomas pushing to secure Dak Prescott’s blindside

The Cowboys have made their offseason plan clear on the offensive line: they intend to keep Tyler Smith where he has been at his best, while creating a direct competition for the left tackle spot that protects Dak Prescott’s blindside. According to reports published July 7, Dallas will not force Smith into a full-time left tackle role, instead setting up a two-player race intended to maximize protection and performance on the edge.

Smith, a Pro Bowl left guard, has been viewed as the team’s most capable option to handle left tackle when needed. Still, the Cowboys appear to believe his value is greater as a left guard, particularly given the way the position allows him to apply his strengths inside the formation. That decision shifts the left tackle job into a more open competition, with Nate Thomas positioned to contend for the starting role.

Nate Thomas, a seventh-round pick in 2024, has already taken regular-season snaps in the NFL. The most relevant recent baseline for his case is last season, when he made his first four career starts. Reports also note that Thomas’ path included time around the learning curve, including work developing technique and habits as he settles into the professional level.

The competition is being framed as performance-based, with Cowboys leadership indicating that the selection will come down to what each player produces in the details of play. During the offseason program, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer characterized the left tackle situation as an open competition, according to team-site reporting that was cited by Pro Football Talk.

Thomas, asked about his readiness, described his offseason approach as a continuation of the process that began when he returned to more consistent training. He said he used the prior season as a learning year after coming off injury from the year before, then treated the latest offseason as a first opportunity to train and get better in a more complete way.

The internal logic also includes how quickly the Cowboys can adjust if one player’s performance does not meet the standard. Reports point out that the Cowboys drafted Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick in 2024, but that inconsistency and health concerns have shaped the team’s search for a more stable answer. In that environment, Thomas’ ability to win starts becomes more than a one-off opportunity, it becomes a credible alternative as Dallas manages the left tackle position.

As the Cowboys move deeper into offseason work, the key question will be whether the competition produces a clear starter or whether the coaching staff plans to rotate based on matchup or performance. With Prescott’s protection as the central objective, watch how the team evaluates Thomas at left tackle, particularly in the parts of the job that require repeatable technique and fast habit formation.

For Thomas, the stakes are straightforward, he is trying to translate prior starts and offseason work into job security. For Dallas, the aim is also straightforward, keep the best version of Smith inside while still providing a left tackle capable of handling the most demanding pass-rush looks. If the Cowboys emerge from training camp with a firm decision, it will reflect not only who performs better, but also the team’s judgment on where each lineman’s skill set fits best within the overall unit.