Tyler Smith becomes latest offensive lineman selected by Dallas Cowboys in 1st round of NFL draft

FRISCO, Texas — From 1982-2010, the Dallas Cowboys never took an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft. On Thursday, they selected their fourth first-round offensive lineman since 2011 when they took Tulsa's Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick.

Now the Cowboys can only hope he has the same sort of success as Tyron Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013) and Zack Martin (2014), who have been multi-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections in their careers.

The Cowboys had an offensive line need with the offseason release of right tackle La'el Collins, who joined the Cincinnati Bengals, and the loss of left guard Connor Williams in free agency to the Miami Dolphins.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Smith will start as a «left-sided player,» with the hope that he can potentially start at left guard as a rookie and one day be Tyron Smith's successor at left tackle and Terence Steele taking over at right tackle.

«I played tackle in college but I'm willing to play wherever they put me,» said Smith, who was hosting a draft party a few miles from The Star in Frisco, Texas. «I'm going to take the coaching and I practice it all, so I'm comfortable wherever.»

Smith said his only interaction with the Cowboys before the draft was a private workout with assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko. He felt he would go late in the first round or top of the second round.

«Man, I was shocked,» he said. «A lot of my coaches said there was a great chance (but) I can't say I even dialogued with the team that much throughout the process, but like it was a shock to me. I can't even lie. I'm more than blessed to be here. I wouldn't have it any other way.»

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Smith was the 16th-rated player on the Cowboys'