Dallas Cowboys Rookie Report Card: Grading Every Rookie Thus Far

It’s tough out there for a rookie. There are new plays to learn, a locker room to fit into, and good impressions to make. Not to mention trying to get away from rookie hazing and living up to sometimes lofty expectations. It can be rough.

For Cowboys rookies, there may be a rough go of it right now. Running back DeMarco Murray has only eight carries through two weeks with 21 yards, and linebacker Bruce Carter has yet to see the field.

But the offensive line is in good shape due in part to the play of rookies Tyron Smith, David Arkin and Bill Nagy.

So how has the group as a whole performed so far, and what should we expect moving forward from Murray, Nagy and Arkin?

Here is a full report card for every Cowboys rookie so far.

Tyron Smith, OT: C+

My grade for Smith hasn’t changed. I still believe he’s playing well enough to hold the line down on the right side and that he’s going to continue to get better.

Still dealing with a hyper-extended knee, the former USC Trojan is a little banged up right now, but he’s playing through the pain and playing pretty well.

Smith didn’t have a great game against the 49ers and it showed, as the Niners were able to beat up and bruise—or puncture, in this case—Tony Romo’s lung.

Again, Smith will get better and by mid to late season, Smith’s footwork and balance will be better.

Bruce Carter, LB: Incomplete

Carter is still incomplete as he continues to rehab his injured knee. According to the Dallas Morning News Carter is still a few weeks away from full contact on the football field.

I’m anxious to see what Carter can bring to the table and how well he’ll gel with Sean Lee.

If Lee’s rehabilitation and success is any indication of what we can expect from Carter, then Dallas will have two great linebackers on their hands.

DeMarco Murray, RB: D

DeMarco Murray’s grade hasn’t moved up or down since my last grading cycle on the ‘Boys.

I think he’s doing a fairly decent job when he’s called upon and we shouldn’t really expect a ton of production out of Murray.

What’s interesting about Murray is that he may be asked to take on a larger role this Monday night when Dallas faces the Washington Redskins. If Felix Jones is unable to play due to his separated shoulder, then Tashard Choice and Murray will be asked to share the load.

We’ll get our chance to see just how good the rookie out of Oklahoma can be.

David Arkin, OL: Incomplete

For the second week in a row Arkin was inactive. We’ve seen him in training camp and in preseason, but have yet to see what Arkin brings to the table against real opposition.

He was all see to start the season on the left side of the line until Bill Nagy replaced him. Now that Nagy is hurt the ‘Boys can use Arkin.

I think that Arkin will be okay, but in the meantime no grade on him until he actually plays.

Dwayne Harris, WR: C-

Dwayne Harris won high praise from Cowboys beat writer Calvin Watkins on Sunday.

"The rookie from East Carolina returned only two punts for 25 yards Sunday. But it was his 14-yard return from a 63-yard blast from punter Andy Lee that was the most impressive," Watkins wrote on ESPN Dallas.

"Harris, who didn't seem rattled with the high punt, fielded it cleanly and got his yards down the sidelines. If the Cowboys make some roster moves, don't expect Harris to go anywhere.”

I liked Harris from the minute he was drafted. I still say that he’s going to turn out to be a pleasant surprise for Dallas and will eventually take over the slot position from Kevin Ogletree.

Bill Nagy, OL: D+

Bill Nagy got pushed around a little by the New York Jets and couldn’t play against the Niners due to injury.

The former Wisconsin Badger will have to add a little weight as his side of the line got a little leaky. But even when Nagy returns from injury, I wouldn’t necessarily expect for him to immediately return to the starting lineup.

Veteran lineman Derrick Dockery started in place of Nagy and did an okay job, until he had those false start penalties called against him.

Overall Grade: C-

I still say that it’s a C-minus for this group so far. The offensive line will be key for Dallas's playoff hopes, and that’s where the meat of the rookie play happens to come in.

Nagy, Smith and Arkin are what may make this Cowboys engine go up front, and pepper in a little DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys may be set up pretty well for the next five seasons.