Hot Takes, Predictions for Cowboys Rookies After 2024 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys were extremely quiet in free agents this offseason, which set the stage for a critical 2024 NFL draft.

Dallas needed to find immediate contributors, which wasn't exactly the case a year ago. 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith (28 percent of the defensive snaps) saw a very minor role as a rookie, while second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker (8 catches, 65 yards) was rarely part of the game plan.

Last year, the Cowboys clearly drafted with the future in mind. Over the weekend, Dallas put more focus on immediate needs and players who can help address them early.

How impactful can the 2024 Cowboys rookie class be? You'll find a few hot takes and early predictions here.

Draft Results

Cowboys Draft Order and Selections

• Round 1 (No. 29): OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
• Round 2 (No. 56): Edge Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
  
• Round 3 (No. 73): IOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
  
• Round 3 (No. 87): LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
  
• Round 5 (No. 174): CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
  
• Round 6 (No. 216): WR Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
  
• Round 7 (No. 233): IOL Nathan Thomas, Louisiana
  
• Round 7 (No. 244): DL Justin Rogers, Auburn

Guyton and Beebe Will Both Start a Rookie

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Tyler Guyton

The Cowboys have insisted all offseason that they're "all-in" on 2024. However, Dallas pretty much ignored its biggest needs until it got to draft weekend.

Specifically, the Cowboys needed to reload an offensive line that lost left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. They addressed the tackle spot by grabbing Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton in Round 1.

Dallas then came back in Round 3 to land Kansas State interior lineman Cooper Beebe.

The Cowboys don't regularly thrust rookies into prominent roles, though there have been exceptions. Notably, Dallas had guard Tyler Smith starting at left tackle when he was a rookie in 2022.

The prediction here is that both Guyton and Beebe start at least part of the 2024 season out of necessity. Guyton is a relatively inexperienced prospect, but Dallas doesn't really have a superior option on its roster. Moving Tyler Smith back to tackle would be the alternative, but that would create a hole at left guard.

Beebe is a more pro-ready prospect who should quickly overtake Brock Hoffman at center. The Cowboys didn't get a whole lot of contributions from their 2023 rookie class, but things will be markedly different this year.

But Beebe Will Outshine Guyton as a Rookie

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Cooper Beebe

While Guyton was Dallas' first selection and should eventually get the nod at left tackle, he's going to be a work-in-progress. He possesses tremendous upside, but he was only a one-year starter at Oklahoma and played at right tackle.

Not only will Guyton have to adjust to the speed and nuances of the pro game, but he'll also have to adjust to playing a different role on the line. That's going to lead to some early struggles—something Smith also experienced as a rookie two years ago.

Smith was responsible for 13 penalties and six sacks allowed in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.

While Beebe's experience lies mostly at guard and tackle, his high floor should give Dallas an easier transition at center.

"Beebe is a highly decorated, massively built, sawed-off, smart and strong presence with proven versatility to project as a high-floor, solid starting guard in a downhill run scheme," Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.

Beebe, who was the 29th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's pre-draft board, shouldn't take long to settle into his new role. Both rookie linemen will face an adjustment period in 2024, but Beebe will make it look easier than his first-round counterpart.

Marshawn Kneeland Will Have More Rookie Impact Than Top Two 2023 Selections

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Marshawn Kneeland

Second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland probably won't step into a starting role. However, the Western Michigan product can have an immediate impact as a situational pass-rusher.

"Kneeland is an impressive bull-rusher, as he has plenty of strength, uses good pad level by getting his helmet on the offensive tackle's chin and keeps his feet moving through contact. All of that allows him to collapse the pocket," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Kneeland will help fill the void created by the departure of Dorance Armstrong in free agency. Expect him to outperform, not only 2023 second-pound pick Luke Schoonmaker, but also 2023 first-round selection Mazi Smith.

Schoonmaker and Smith were both drafted as projects, and neither played a substantial rookie role. Smith finished with just 13 tackles and a sack, while Schoonmaker finished with eight receptions.

Kneeland is also a bit of a project, but he'll quickly slot into the third-rusher role behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. A half-dozen sacks isn't an unrealistic goal for the rookie.

None of this is meant to knock Smith or Schoonmaker, who may still develop into long-term contributors. It's meant to highlight that Dallas used a different draft strategy this year and landed players who will help the team right away.