National Football League

Cowboys' top pick signed, joins first practice

Published Jul. 28, 2011 5:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Dallas Cowboys have signed top draft pick Tyron Smith in time to have him on the field for their first full practice of training camp.

Smith is expected to start right away at right tackle, replacing Marc Colombo, with an eye on grooming him as the eventual starter at left tackle.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Smith was the ninth player taken in the draft after two standout seasons as a starter for Southern Cal. The youngest player in the entire draft, he doesn't turn 21 until December. He was the first offensive lineman Jerry Jones has ever drafted in the first round.