The best and worst pick from the Dallas Cowboys 2024 draft class

Analysis of the best and worst selections the Dallas Cowboys made in this draft.

The Dallas Cowboys completed their 2024 draft class on Sunday, bringing in a talented group of rookies to the organization. While the Cowboys addressed most holes on their team, two picks stand out as being the best and worst among the class.

Best pick: G Cooper Beebe, 73rd overall pick

The Cowboys hit a home-run when they selected Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe in the third-round of the draft. Beebe stands at 6’2, 322 lbs, and used his ferocity and technicality as a blocker to thrive in college. He earned several accolades in 2023, being voted as the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, earning First-Team All-American honors, and First-Team All-Big 12 honors.

Beebe allowed just two sacks on 1,259 pass blocking snaps in his career in college, while also being a reliable run-blocker. Most notably, he allowed zero pressures against the Texas defensive line in 2023. In their matchup, DT Byron Murphy (first-round pick) and DT T’Vondre Sweat (second-round pick) combined for zero pressures while lining up against Beebe. When they were not lined up against Beebe, they produced 12 pressures.

While Beebe shined as a guard throughout his time at Kansas State, he should be in the competition as the team’s starting center in 2024. After the team lost Tyler Biadasz in free agency, there is a gaping need at center. Beebe should do a good job filling this need in 2024, while having the versatility to move to guard if needed. The Cowboys found a great player for their interior offensive line with their first of two third-round picks.

Worst pick: DE Marshawn Kneeland, 56th overall pick

First and foremost, Kneeland is a very talented edge rusher. A few analysts had him as first-round talent as he proved to be one of the more athletic players at his position in the draft. To call him the worst pick of the Cowboys class isn’t to criticize him as an individual player. It is to say the Cowboys had much better options for their football team still on the board.

When the Cowboys were on the clock in the second-round, Florida State RB Trey Benson was still available. Benson proved himself as one of the top running backs in this class with elite production at FSU in 2023, as well an impressive combine performance. Not only did they pass on Benson, they also passed on Michigan LB Junior Colson, who could have been an immediate impact player at the linebacker position. Alabama WR Jermaine Burton and Michigan RB Blake Corum could have also been impactful players immediately for the Cowboys had they gone that route. Instead, the team chose to go with an edge rusher who likely will not see the field as much in the 2024 season as one of those players would have.

It is always good to have as many defensive lineman as possible on the team, however the team should not have prioritized one so early in this year’s draft with more pressing needs. With this selection, the Cowboys passed on several offensive playmakers who could have made QB Dak Prescott’s job a lot easier this upcoming season.