Eyes on the NFC East.
Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over and we’ve analyzed the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie class, let’s turn our attention to the other teams in the NFC East. We’ll conclude with a look at the Dallas Cowboys after previously analyzing picks made by the New York Giants and picks made by the Washington Commanders.
This was a typical Cowboys draft: boring but good. The team added a ton of quality depth to their offensive line with guys with starter upside. Throw in some intriguing pass rushers and skill players on both sides of the ball and it’s the same as it ever was.
Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 322
Most Important Stat: 0 allowed sacks in 2023 (per Pro Football Focus)
What he can do: Tyler Guyton was one of the more impressive athletes in the 2024 draft class. His unbelievable size is hard to miss and he is a rare athlete to match. He came to Oklahoma as a defensive lineman but switched to the offensive line where he played about 1,000 snaps at right tackle over the last two years. He is inexperienced, which shows in his lack of technical consistency. When he’s “on” he is extremely dominant as a pass and run blocker.
Cowboys Outlook: The Cowboys are great at reloading along the offensive line and Guyton is likely going to take over at right tackle sooner than later. Getting quality snaps under his belt will be crucial. He might have some growing pains in the NFL, but his upside is very high.
Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 267
Most Important Stat: 12.5 sacks in four years
What he can do: Marshawn Kneeland was extremely disruptive during his time at WMU but didn’t regularly convert pressures into sacks or TFLs. He is very, very athletic and plays with a ton of energy. His lack of pass rush moves hurt his ability to produce and he comes off as a little stiff. He bullied non-power five tackles with relative ease, but the quality of competition argument goes both ways. Kneeland didn’t have a ton of help on the Broncos defense and its possible his production improves when he is not a clear cut best defender.
Cowboys Outlook: The Cowboys have a great stable of pass rushers, allowing them to be patient with Marshawn Kneeland. Kneeland can be a rotational player and learn a thing or two from Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Cooper Beebe, Guard, Kansas State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 322
Most Important Stat: 48 career starts
What he can do: Cooper Beebe was one of the more straightforward players in the class. He is not a great athlete, but makes up for athleticism with an extremely high football IQ and technical consistency. He was a picture of dependability for the Wildcats and will bring that reliability to the NFL.
Cowboys Outlook: Cooper Beebe can and should start at either guard position as a rookie. He will have a long NFL career.
Marist Liufau, Linebacker, Notre Dame
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 234
Most Important Stat: Blitzed on 21.6% of his defensive snaps in 2023 (per Pro Football Focus)
What he can do: Marist Liufau is an exciting linebacker whose energy and physicality made him a fun watch on the Irish defense over the last two years. He is fast, aggressive, and has great instincts especially in coverage. He is a good, not great, run defender whose lack of size can make him vulnerable to more physical blockers.
Cowboys Outlook: The Cowboys love fast linebackers who can cover a ton of ground at the expense of being high-impact run defenders. Liufau might be best served as a nickel linebacker to start his career and then maybe develop into a three-down defender.
Caelen Carson, Cornerback, Wake Forest
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 199 Pounds
Most Important Stat: Allowed five touchdowns in the last two years while picking off zero passes (per Pro Football Focus)
What he can do: Caelen Carson stood out over four years at Wake Forest with his outstanding run defense and physicality. Carson plays like his hair is on fire, excitingly coming downhill to make big tackles on the perimeter. In coverage, he can make receivers’ lives hell at the line of scrimmage. That being said, his lack of long speed makes him vulnerable down the field. He can get a bit grabby when he loses snaps too.
Cowboys Outlook: Carson projects as a slot defender in the NFL. His plus run defense will be an asset closer to the play and his lack of speed can be insulated a lot more. Carson could see meaningful snaps earlier in his career despite being a late round pick.
Ryan Flournoy, Wide Receiver, Southeast Missouri State
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 204
Most Important Stat: 11-foot broad jump at the NFL Combine
What he can do: Ryan Flournoy stood out at the FCS level due to his explosive athleticism, big hands (over 10 inches!), and great ball skills. He is unpolished as a route runner and struggles with more physical coverage, but his upside jumps off the screen.
Cowboys Outlook: The Cowboys add some much needed competition to their wide receiver room. They have been struggling to find consistent WR play beyond CeeDee Lamb. Flournoy will compete for snaps at the WR3 or WR4 spot on the depth chart and hopefully contribute as a special teams player.
Nathan Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Louisiana Lafayette
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 322
Most Important Stat: Allowed five sacks in 2023 (per Pro Football Focus)
What he can do: Nathan Thomas was a late bloomer for the Ragin’ Cajuns, struggling in 2021 and 2022 to really find his bearings at left tackle. This year he delivered, developing into a truly dominant run blocker. Thomas is a good athlete but his lack of arm length makes it easy for him to give up pressure on the edge.
Cowboys Outlook: Thomas might be best suited as an NFL guard, but has the potential to be a good one. He is a powerful, physical player who does his best work in a phone booth. He’ll add competition and youth to the Cowboys line.
Justin Rogers, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 330 Pounds
Most Important Stat: Four career sacks
What he can do: Justin Rogers is a huge guy. Rogers played at over 340 pounds at times and has strong, 11 inch hands. He played as a nose tackle for three years at Kentucky before finishing school at Auburn. He is not much of a pass rusher, but offers some space-eating ability that can help in run defense.
Cowboys Outlook: The Cowboys have had a vulnerable run defense for a few years now and need all the help they can get plugging up holes. While Rogers has a very low ceiling, he could contribute as a two-down lineman.
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