The Dallas Cowboys were reportedly in the trade market prior to Week 1. A rising star of the Jacksonville Jaguars appears to be their target.
This week, the Cowboys suffered a serious setback when star offensive tackle Tyron Smith was injured in his hamstring. Smith’s injury worries have been a problem for some time now. Dallas is likely to figure how to address the left guard spot this season as well as in the future.
John Shipley from Jaguar Report said that Walker Little could be the short-term and long-term solution. Shipley reported on August 26 that Dallas had Little at the top of their list.
“One potential solution for the Cowboys at left tackle? #Jaguars tackle Walker Little,” Shipley wrote. “According to sources, he is high on the list for the Cowboys as they look at external options. Doubt the Jaguars would entertain it, but wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys call.”
This is a surprising report, since Little would need to be offered a substantial deal by Dallas. The former Stanford Cardinal star, Little was selected in the second round 2021 NFL draft and is considered a key player for the Jaguars moving forward.
Little, who attended high school at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, was regarded as the No. 3 tackle prospect in the nation. Little opted to go to Stanford, despite being offered by perennial powerhouses such as Alabama.
He quickly proved he was ready to step up, earning All-Pac-12 honorable notice honors in 2017 and being named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2018 as a sophomore.
Little suffered a devastating injury luck run as he entered his third season. He sustained a knee injury that ended his season in the 2019 season opener. Little decided to continue his recovery and train for the NFL. He will miss the 2020 season.
NFL.com explained that Little’s draft stock was a little unknown. After being considered a lock in the first round of the second season, Little’s two-year stint as a player in the NFL made matters worse. The Jaguars jumped at the chance to draft Little in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Little was a rookie and slowly made his way to the team behind Jawaan Taylor, starting tackle. PFR says that Little appeared in nine games, including three starts.
Little will be competing with Taylor to take the starting job in this offseason. Jacksonville’s starting left tackle is still not known. Doug Pederson, Jaguars head coaching, stated August 27 that he was not ready to reveal his identity.
Shipley’s report states that the Cowboys may be considering moves for players who are not on their roster. However, Jerry Jones, the Dallas owner, recently supported Tyler Smith, a rookie offensive lineman while on ESPN.
Smith was the 24th overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft. However, he has only seen offseason work as a guard since Heavy previously covered. Smith was a former Tulsa star who played mostly at tackle in college. He could soon be taking snaps there.
“It’s a big disappointment, none moreso than for Tyron himself,” Jones said of Tyron Smith’s injury. “But our game really is that and hello Tyler Smith. He’ll be an important part of this puzzle, our No. 1 draft pick.”
Smith is talented but it will be difficult for a rookie to reverse his offseason work.