A quick review of Day 2 draft grades for the Cowboys.
Here’s quick look at some of the media grades that have come in so far for the Cowboys picks yesterday.
56. Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
For me, Marshawn Kneeland was one of the most fun players to watch in this class. I have a weakness for violent defensive linemen who can win from every gap, and Kneeland qualifies. I compared him to Za’Darius Smith as a big end who can also get it done everywhere from three-tech to nose shade, and Kneeland will give Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer all kinds of interesting possibilities.
Every defensive coordinator wants a guy who plays like his hair is on fire at all times, and Kneeland certainly qualifies. He’s a multi-gap disruptor with a ton of upside, and I’m betting that a lot of NFL evaluators will set aside any small-school biases when discussing his professional potential.
In what was a pretty thin year for edges, Kneeland flashed as much as, or more than, anyone at that position. His production was inconsistent and does not match his ability — but when he was on, he was a dominant force in the MAC. There was some buzz Kneeland might creep into the first round. He’s one of the better run defender-pass rusher combinations in the class. Great value for the Cowboys, at a position of need.
SB Nation: B+
I really did think they would draft a RB, namely Trey Benson, but Kneeland is a really good value pick. His pass rush production was limited, but he was playing out of position on the inside at Western Michigan. Now fully on the edge, Kneeland can showcase his power and motor. The Cowboys depth at EDGE is now depleted with Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler gone, and Kneeland can sit behind Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
The Cowboys need to replenish their pass-rush depth a bit and Kneeland doesn’t need much more development to be productive with his versatility and variety of moves.
I assume the Cowboys would have drafted Jonathon Brooks here if they could. Instead, they’ll take a running back in the third round. Marshawn Kneeland makes sense as a new edge rusher, as I expected him to go in this area. He wasn’t overly productive in college, but he made a name for himself during the pre-draft process.
PFF: “Good”
Dallas recovers some defensive line depth that they lost in free agency, as they pick up Western Michigan‘s Marshawn Kneeland. He is a natural run defender who improved as a pass-rusher as his career progressed. Over the last two seasons, he posted an 88.0 PFF run-defense grade, which is the best among FBS edge defenders who played at least 300 run-defense snaps in that span.
For The Win: B-
Well, huh. Dallas had a multitude of needs – such is life when you say you’re about to go “all in” before the offseason and then sit back and watch as your team gets demonstrably worse. Edge rusher didn’t top that list, but Demarcus Lawrence is entering his second decade in the NFL so this isn’t necessarily a bad idea. Kneeland is a bit of a project, but he has the potential to eventually be a plus starter who could thrive in the chaos sewn by Micah Parsons.
CBSSports: B-
Big-time tester who might be just scratching the surface of how good he can be around the corner. Doesn’t quite play to his workout but works the edges of OTs very well. Shows glimpses of countering ability. Just didn’t ever dominate in the MAC. Roll of the dice.
Yahoo Sports: B-
The Cowboys needed to add more juice to their pass rush and found someone who has the potential to be a solid No. 2 across from Micah Parsons for the long term. Kneeland had first-round rumors, but this is a probably a more appropriate spot for him.
Kneeland topped all defensive ends at the NFL Scouting Combine in the short shuttle (4.18) and three-cone drill (7.02). He can play all over the front seven and create havoc in small areas.
The Cowboys have two exceptional edge defenders in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons can be moved all around the field, though, and Lawrence is a free agent after this season. Meanwhile, Dorance Armstrong, who finished second on the team with 7.5 sacks last season, left in free agency.
Kneeland should provide Dallas with quality depth at the onset of his NFL career.
33rd Team: C+
Marshawn Kneeland has potential, but getting there will take time. Getting him in one-on-one matchups as often as possible will help his impact. His upside is being an average but not a special starter.
Todd Archer of ESPN: – –
While others see running back and linebacker as a need, defensive end is a need too, especially when factoring in the departures in free agency of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., and with DeMarcus Lawrence in the final year of his contract. Kneeland had 13 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his career, but never topped more than 4.5 in a season.
73. Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
The Athletic A+
Dallas is rebuilding its offensive line and may have picked up the steal of the draft thus far. Not to get too hyperbolic, but Beebe has some parallels to another third-round pick from 17 years ago: Marshal Yanda, by Baltimore. Beebe was a consensus first-team All-American last year and boasts 48 career starts at three different positions.
The Cowboys have embraced the upgrading offensive line theme here with Beebe’s pick following the first-round pick of Tyler Guyton for tackle. Beebe will get on the field with a chance to start to help Zack Martin inside because of natural power and strength.
SB Nation: A
The Cowboys are putting together a mean offensive line. Beebe is a guard, but will probably slide to center in Dallas, where he can use his knockout power in a phone booth to completely dislodge defenders. Pretty awesome pick.
Yahoo Sports: A
Love this pick for Dallas. Beebe has the versatility and talent to be a fixture with the Cowboys for a long time as they continue to find the next great version of their offensive line. He played guard and tackle in the same games at times for Kansas State.
33rd Team: A
Short arms aside, Cooper Beebe can flat-out play. He’s Wyatt Teller reincarnated, putting fear into the eyes and hearts of their opponents. He’s such a big body that he can be a bit clunky, but he’s effective.
For The Win: A-
Beebe is a stud, a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 offensive lineman of the year. So why did he drop to the third round? Short arms. Well, that can be mitigated at guard, where Beebe can use his knowledge of leverage and angles to eject pass-rushers from the club and carve a path for whomever is taking handoffs in Dallas this year.
Any offensive lineman makes sense for the Cowboys, who lost some talented blockers this offseason. Cooper Beebe is a rock-solid interior lineman who can definitely improve the blocking unit. I thought he could have gone in the second round, so I like the value.
CBSSports: B+
The reconstruction of the OL continues in Dallas. Older, super-experienced guard-only who’s rarely out of position. Athletic limitations are obvious. Low center of gravity gives him quality anchor. Smart pick here despite minimal upside. High floor.
Beebe is one of the most physically dominating prospects in this year’s class. He often overwhelmed defenders at the point of attack. He’s the true definition of a mauler.
The Dallas Cowboys already addressed their offensive line in the first round with the selection of Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. They doubled down by selecting Beebe in the third round.
Dallas’ coaching staff could completely revamp the offensive line with Guyton staying at right tackle, Tyler Smith bumping back out to left tackle and Beebe taking over at left guard. It will be fascinating to see how the Cowboys’ line battles shake out.
PFF: “Average”
The Cowboys continue to address their offensive line and grab one of the best offensive linemen in college football over the past two seasons. 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. The question is where he plays in the NFL, with a move to center a possibility.
Todd Archer of ESPN: – –
With Zack Martin potentially entering the final year of his time with the Cowboys, Beebe can be seen as a future starter at guard. There are some who believe he can play center, which is a need for the Cowboys even as they profess faith in Brock Hoffman. At Kansas State, however, he played every spot but center, although he saw time there in practices. He has the credentials as a two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.
87. Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
The Cowboys lost Leighton Vander Esch, so they had to find a new linebacker. Marist Liufau is a potential solid replacement, as he has terrific athleticism, speed, and upside. I thought he’d go earlier than this, perhaps even the second round, so I love the value.
SB Nation: C+
I get why the Cowboys would Liufau. He plays with his hair on fire and comes downhill really hard. However, I think there were many linebackers available that were better, and probably better fits for this defense. This is a bet on Mike Zimmer and his ability to develop linebackers, which has worked out for the most part.
CBSSports: C+
Hair-on-fire off-ball LB who gets the expected results with that style. Many missed tackles. Many highlight-reel hits. Showed he can cover underneath. Plays faster than his workout. More build up speed than pure burst. Ball skills are lacking and can be easily baited by play-action. Plus blitzer. Fun add here but overaggression hurts him at times.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Eric Kendicks this offseason on a one-year deal to man the middle of the defense. He’s a Band-Aid at middle linebacker, though. Notre Dame’s Marist Liufau is a 6’2”, 234-pound downhill defender, which isn’t typical of today’s linebackers. The Cowboys defense should allow him to blitz and rush the passer in certain instances.
A year from now, he could be taking over for Kendricks.
For The Win: C
Liufau has natural gifts and an abundance of energy that will serve him well in the NFL. However, he is nowhere near disciplined enough to likely ever turn into a meaningful starter. He projects as more of a depth linebacker/special teamer who can occasionally flash in a pinch. A bit of a weird pick for Dallas, but it perseveres.
The Cowboys did well to address linebacker but perhaps could have gone for a more complete option than a speedy aggressive coverage-based defender with some limitations vs. the run.
The Athletic C-
After a brilliant first two rounds, the Cowboys reached here — Liufau (6-2, 234) was a projected sixth-round prospect. He is a high-energy player and likely a four-facet special teamer, but this was way too high. There were multiple starting-caliber interior linebackers available at this point. Liufau might get there, just not for a few years.
Yahoo Sports: C
The Cowboys needed a real linebacker body on their roster and they got one in Liufau. No more safeties at linebacker is a good thing for Dallas, even if Liufau isn’t necessarily a star.
PFF: “Below Average”
Liufau plays with a competitiveness and violence that lends itself to some tackling inconsistencies. He is a bit of a slower processor, as well, but when able to read and trigger, he can make splash plays — as evidenced by his 35 defensive stops between the run and pass games over the past two seasons. He projects as a core special teamer with the upside to be a rotational linebacker.
Todd Archer of ESPN: – –
The Cowboys signed Eric Kendricks in free agency, but linebacker was still a major need even with last year’s third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown coming back from a torn ACL. He started the final 25 games of his career at Notre Dame and had 44 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. He was a pre-draft visitor to the Cowboys, which has been a precursor to the team selecting players in recent years.
33rd Team: D
Multiple more athletic linebackers had better instincts and tackling consistency left on the board, so this was a surprising reach. Marist Liufau’s best value is as a third-down pass-rusher.
Now that you’ve had a (short) night to sleep over it, how do you feel about the Cowboys’ Day Two draft haul?
You must be logged in to post a comment Login