The Dallas Cowboys do one thing well, and that is drafting players. Due to the lack of moves this offseason, some of those players will need to be ready to make an impact from week one. Signing Eric Kendricks and adding some players from the UFL is not enough. Some of the Cowboy’s 2024 draft picks are going to need to be average, at worst, right away.
The order you see the rookies below is who I think will make more of an impact immediately. Everyone below could at some point this season be called upon.
Tyler Guyton
Let’s get right into it, huh? Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma was their first-round draft selection and will be thrown right into the fire.
He was the 39th-ranked player on the PFF big board and is considered something of a project with outstanding athletic ability.
Tyler Guyton didn’t mind the 90-degree Texas heat during the final day of Dallas Cowboys minicamp Wednesday. He prides himself on a work ethic that’s built on a genuine love for the game.
“Good. I f—ing love it. That’s football, man. That’s the game you signed up for. You want…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 6, 2024
He didn’t allow a sack in 355 pass-blocking reps in college, but he only earned a 59.0 PFF true pass-blocking grade.
With Tyron Smith now in a New York Jets uniform and Tyler Biadasz with the Washington Commanders, Guyton has no choice but to step in right away and try to make an impact.
Not allowing a sack in 355 pass-blocking reps in college is stellar, but he will need to sure up that blocking grade.
Tyler Guyton should be at the top of the 2024 rookie class at the end of the season.
Cooper Beebe
Cooper Beebe is my favorite draft pick from the Cowboys’ 2024 draft class. I think he could be one of the biggest steals of 2024.
Beebe’s 91.8 pass-blocking grade since 2021 ranks first among all FBS guards in that span, and he allowed just two sacks from 1,206 pass-blocking snaps over that time.
Here is the problem: will he be able to start at center?
Mike McCarthy "very pleased" with the progress being made by #Cowboys rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe in their transition to left tackle and center, respectively.
Notes that they'll refine more as more reps are put on them, and there will be no shortage of that to come.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) June 4, 2024
He will for sure be battling Brock Hoffman for the starting spot, maybe even T.J. Bass, who I also think could be a very good offensive lineman in this league.
If Cooper Beebe can take control of changing to center and win the job, he will need to make an impact immediately. I think he wins the job and has a solid year.
Marshawn Kneeland
I am not sold on this pick, but the Cowboys need anything at this point to help them stop the run.
Over the past two seasons, Marshawn Kneeland posted an 88.0 PFF run-defense grade. That is the best among FBS edge defenders who played at least 300 run-defense snaps in that span.
Cowboys signed their second-round draft pick, DE Marshawn Kneeland, to his four-year deal. Entire rookie class is now under contract.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 11, 2024
It’s hard to predict how small school players will fare in the NFL.
Guys like Marques Colston, Adam Vinatieri, London Fletcher, Jared Allen, and others went to a small school in college and became GREAT players.
Marshawn Kneeland might have no choice but to step up with the lack of depth and help the Cowboys right away in 2024.
Marist Liufau
My third selection came down to where the Cowboys need the most help and which rookie has enough value to help them. As I started diving into college tapes and things, I liked Marist Liufau for some odd reason.
He has a very good first step and plays for contact.
Liufau will be used on special teams, yet he might also have a chance to get some reps if the linebacker group underperforms.
Third round pick Marist Liufau going through some tackling drills. Rookies were in helmets for work today but no star on the helmet. pic.twitter.com/4QnY2fEmrC
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) May 11, 2024
Marist Liufau ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash, making him one of the fastest linebackers in the draft. All it takes is one injury ahead of him on the depth chart, though, and he could be thrown into the ring of fire to show what he’s got.
Let’s see how this list unfolds.
Ryan Flournoy is the other name to keep an eye on depending on what happens with CeeDee Lamb and the rest of that unit.
