$4M Cowboy earns 1st-place votes, 'best guard in football' praise in ESPN iOL rankings
Settled in doesn't quite do justice to what has transpired, as the 2022 first-round pick has become one of the NFL's top interior protectors, recently making the top-10 list composed by NFL executives at the behest of ESPN. Not only did he rise from Honorable Mention (following his All-Pro 2023 campaign), he landed at No. 2 overall and as the top guard in the entire exercise.
Smith even garnered multiple first-place votes, along with a ton of high praise.
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: UnrankedAge: 24 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Replacing Martin in Dallas is a tough task, but Smith has the ability to do just that.
The buzz surrounding Smith popped in the voting. He wasn't on every top 10 ballot, but most of the votes he did get were for first or second place.
"Most physically gifted guard in the league who could legitimately be a top starter at LT if they wanted to play him there," an NFL general manager said. "Strong, athletic, nasty, and cut his holding penalties in half last year."
Smith edged out Indianapolis Colts veteran Quenton Nelson for the honor of best guard, and finished one spot below Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey.
"Best guard in football," an NFL defensive line coach said. "Perennial Pro Bowl guy. Quick explosive, violent, strong hands, above-average pass pro, can reach second level."
Smith is scheduled to play for $2.5 million in 2025, with a cap hit of $4.2 million. The team invoked his fifth-year option, so he's also under their control for 2026 for $21.2 million, but with the way he's regarded around the league, Dallas is going to need to pony up for a big, long-term contract in the near future.
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