3 Cowboys rookies looking like starters ahead of Week 1

The Dallas Cowboys have wrapped up their training camp practices in Oxnard and are now gearing up for one more preseason game. Through two exhibition games, hardly any returning veteran starters have seen the field, but the same does not apply for the rookies. With two games under their belts, a few rookies are looking like they are already set to make an impact on this team in 2024.

Despite the Cowboys not playing starters in the preseason during the Mike McCarthy era, most rookies even, first-round picks, have seen significant reps. McCarthy kept that same coaching philosophy this preseason and it looks like things are paying off.

Fans are looking at the real possibility of seeing a good number of rookies starting this year on offense and defense. Here are three who look like they are ready for Cleveland in Week 1.

3. LB Marist Liufau

New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes good-sized linebackers. To accommodate for this scheme, Marist Liufau was drafted in the third round by Dallas this offseason. Liufau had back-to-back strong seasons at Notre Dame, but many questioned if he could be a day one starter. So far, Liufau looks the part for an outside linebacker.

Liufau only registered one tackle in the team's first preseason game against the Rams, but Week 2 saw him make impacts on this defense. He finished the Raiders game with three tackles and seemed to be all around the football.

Liufau's best play came when he shot through the line of scrimmage and cut down Raiders starting running back Zamir White, allowing his teammates to help finish the play. That tenacity is something this linebacking group needs alongside Micah Parsons.

The Cowboys are in the midst of rebuilding this group around Parsons following the retirement of Leighton Vander Esch this offseason. Vander Esch might have been injured often but his presence was certainly missed in games that mattered the most last season. If Liufau has another strong outing against the Chargers, fans should keep an eye out for him in the starting lineup.

2. C/G Cooper Beebe

Cooper Beebe has been turning heads in training camp and last Saturday night he took his first steps toward becoming the team's new starting center. Losing Tyler Biadasz this offseason was hard for this offensive line to stomach after also losing future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith. With Biadasz now with division foe Washington, Dallas needed to find their new center and Beebe looks like he might be the guy.

The biggest question coming into training camp regarding Beebe was if he could play center since he never played that position at Kansas State. He excelled at guard, earning Big 12 Conference awards, but playing center is much harder. He sat behind Brock Hoffman for the first preseason game, but Beebe might have had the best performance of every offensive linemen who took the field that night vs. the Raiders.

Beebe got the start at center an showed how good he can be at that position. The Cowboys' running game totaled 137 yards in the game. The offense was able to move the chains much easier and sustain drives with the blocking upfront.

The play that stood out the most from that game was a block where Beebe took out not one, but two Raiders. With defensive tackle John Jenkins, a 12-year pro, lining up over him, Beebe almost instantly took him to the ground and a split second later blocked linebacker Robert Spillane.

The blocking gave Trey Lance more time to get rid of the ball. For an offensive lineman to block two guys almost at the same time is difficult. If Beebe shows more of that in the final preseason game and the rest of camp, there is good reason to believe he will start at center on opening day.

1. OT Tyler Guyton

If there is one rookie who has looked ready for opening day from day one of training camp, it is Tyler Guyton. The former Oklahoma Sooner has big shoes to fill in replacing Tyron Smith, but he looks up to the challenge. Not only did he block Parsons on day one of padded practice with ease, but through two preseason games, he is already making national headlines.

Guyton did not start the first game against the Rams, but was instantly subbed in when Chuma Edoga went down with an injury. He had moments where he looked like a rookie playing in an NFL game for the first time, but overall Guyton showed flashes he might be ready to be Dak Prescott's blindside protector. Game two against the Raiders was a coming-out party for the rookie.

Las Vegas played their starting defense for all of the first quarter and some of the second. That meant Guyton was frequently lined up against Maxx Crosby. Talk about a reality check for only his second NFL game. In a matchup against one of the best pass rushers in the game today, Guyton almost made Crosby disappear. His first snap sent a message to Cowboys and Raiders fans alike that he can play with the big boys.

In addition to holding his own against Crosby, Guyton showed progress all night. He helped the offensive line keep Trey Lance clean all game, allowing him to have a much better performance than in Los Angeles. Guyton also showed some tenacity when finishing blocks.

The first-round pick also showed great discipline. Some young players coming out of college struggle to control themselves in the heat of battle, but Guyton looks like he understands the line between playing to the whistle or getting penalized.

How much Guyton plays in the final preseason game if at all is still up in the air after he left practice on Wednesday with knee soreness. Even if the coaches do not play him, surely they have seen enough. Guyton looks like the next great offensive lineman the Cowboys have hit on in the draft.

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