Overlooked Cowboys 2024 draft pick is quietly already becoming a star

The Dallas Cowboys are as good as it gets in terms of the NFL Draft, but they relied on their drafting prowess in the 2024 offseason a little too much. They let a stampede of talent walk out the door and really only used the draft to supplement those losses.

Unfortunately, first-round pick Tyler Guyton has had a rocky rookie year. While he has showed real promise playing exclusively left tackle, penalties and injuries have made it difficult to evaluate his first season.

The Cowboys have to like what they've seen from second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland. A knee injury knocked Kneeland out four games, but he is already an impact player against the run. He can become a building block if he rounds out his pass rush repertoire.

While Kneeland looks the part, Cooper Beebe has become the "golden child" of Dallas' 2024 class. Beebe somehow dropped to the third round (No. 73 overall) and he's quietly putting together a banner rookie year as the starting center.

Cowboys rookie Cooper Beebe is only scratching the surface of his potential

Beebe was one of six rookie offensive linemen in Week 13 to allow zero pressures, per The 33rd Team. In Week 12, Beebe played the second-most snaps of rookie OL who allowed zero pressures. Entering that week, Beebe's 3.3% pressure rate allowed was second among rookie linemen.

The former Kansas State star has been utterly dominant for the last month, allowing a total of four pressures and just one sack. While the best stretch of his young career, Beebe's been an enforcer at center from the jump.

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Beebe's 15 pressures allowed are tied for 15th among all centers and his seven hurries allowed are the eighth-fewest, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). While not Pro Bowl-caliber numbers, it's important to remember that this is his first year playing the center position.

The rookie played all across the offensive line at Kansas State - besides center. He played 1,738 snaps at left guard, 774 at left tackle, 103 at right tackle and 25 at right guard. When you take that into context, his blocking efficiency is exceptional.

We are already seeing Beebe execute backside reaches at a high level and he thwarted Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dexter Lawrence in two games. While Lawrence left injured in the second half on Thanksgiving, Beebe didn't allow a single pressure, hurry, sack or quarterback hit versus the Giants' behemoth this season.

These feats are all indicative of a future star.

In his first year playing center, Beebe is only scratching the surface of his potential. It won't be long before he's recognized as one of the best centers in the game.

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