Dallas Cowboys left tackle battle heats up as rookie Caleb Downs impresses at OTAs

Dallas Cowboys officials announced that Tyler Guyton and seventh‑round pick Nate Thomas will compete for the starting left tackle position during offseason workouts, with fourth‑round rookie Drew Shelton also mentioned as a possible challenger and Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith listed as a contingency.

In separate OTAs coverage, first‑round defensive rookie Caleb Downs has drawn praise from veteran Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams and head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who highlighted the rookie's coachability and rapid learning curve. Downs' early impact is seen as a promising boost for the Cowboys' defense.

The competition comes amid concerns about offensive‑line penalties, as the Cowboys led the league with 133 penalties last season, prompting the coaching staff to seek improvement before training camp.