Mailbag: Which is more important, guard or tackle?

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

Which position do you think is more important on the offensive line, left guard or left tackle? I realize left tackle protects Dak Prescott's blind side, but I feel guard is more important for the running game, which will then help the passing game. Given that, Tyler Smith is great at either position, but I think he is more needed at guard. What is your opinion? – David Farina/Trenton, NJ

Nick: Well, let's address all of these questions and statements. From the top, I'll say that left tackle is considered more important than left tackles. Just look at recent NFL Drafts and find me how many guards go in the Top 5 vs. offensive tackles. Now, in this case, there is a strong need to have a great interior O-line because of the way Dak Prescott operates the offense. It's built on play-action, which means a strong running game is a must.

Now getting to the topic of Tyler Smith. You said that he "is great at either position." Hmm, do we really know that? We know he's an All-Pro guard but is he great at tackle? He was good as a rookie and not too bad last season when he filled in. My gut instinct is that Tyler Smith is smart enough to get himself ready to play either position and he'd be among the best at either spot. But I don't know if he'll be an elite tackle like he is at guard.

And there's no shame in that. Larry Allen, Nate Newton and Zack Martin were all elite guards who played tackle, but just better inside. And that's where Tyler Smith is in my opinion.

Personally, I'd keep him at guard with the game-day option that he could slide out to tackle if needed but I think this team has something brewing inside Tyler Booker, Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe at center. I wouldn't want to mess that up. I'm not saying there isn't an issue at left tackle because that hasn't been solidified and I'd even entertain taking a tackle at No. 12 if he's the best one on the board. But as far as the interior goes, I think you've got Tyler Smith at his best position.

Kurt: To say one is more important than the other is really tough to do. As we all know, an offensive line just can't be affective unless all five big men up front are working in sync and pulling their considerable weight together.

However, in the specific case of Tyler Smith, I do think it's more important that he line up at left guard for the Cowboys, rather than left tackle. As Nate Newton has said – and he's a man who knows a thing or two about playing both positions – Smith can be a really good tackle, but he's already a three-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro guard. In other words, one of the best in the business.

As you mention, at guard he's a force in the running game, but he's also the key to keeping the pocket from collapsing in on Dak Prescott, which is just as vital to the passing attack as the left tackle is to protecting the quarterback's blind side.

I realize that Brian Schottenheimer has said that ultimately the team will have to put the best five linemen on the field, which may require Smith moving outside. But you can bet the head coach, Prescott and just about everybody else, including Smith himself, want the O-line's leader to remain in the interior.

Let's just hope someone else steps up at left tackle this year, so that where Smith should play doesn't become a question once again.