The 2024 NFL Draft is over and the Dallas Cowboys put on a masterclass of drafting. It's obviously easy to say that the Cowboys hit a home run before the class has played a snap, but the overall feeling is significantly more positive relative to last year's draft.
The Cowboys turned the No. 24 overall pick into two potential staples on their offensive line. Say what you will about this front office, but they know how to work the draft. On days one and two, they used their premium assets to beef up their trenches, which were weak points last year, then filled a big need.
In a vacuum, fans will be hard-pressed to complain about Dallas' draft. Now that the showcase is in the books after a long weekend, it's time to hand out grades for each of the Cowboys' eight selections.
Cowboys draft grade for Tyler Guyton: B+
A cavalcade of mock drafts leading up to Thursday had the Cowboy drafting Guyton with the No. 24 overall pick. For that reason, fans had trouble warming up to the idea of Guyton coming to Dallas. It wasn't seen as a smart value pick given the other names that would have likely still been on the board.
With that in mind, the Cowboys moved down to pick No. 29 in a trade with the Lions and picked up Guyton and the No. 73 overall pick. Guyton was Dane Brugler's 28th-ranked prospect in the entire draft, so Dallas got solid value with the pick. When you bake the third-round pick into it, it's really fantastic work.
A right tackle at Oklahoma, the Cowboys will move Guyton to left tackle. They're banking on his athleticism to buoy his transition to the left side. Though raw, Guyton has the build At 6-7, 322 pounds), footwork and hand placement to thrive at left tackle. It might take some time for him to become a high-level LT, but his upside is enormous.
Cowboys draft grade for Marshawn Kneeland: B
Marshawn Kneeland came out of left field, but Draft Twitter swiftly raved about the selection. Kneeland was the No. 32 overall player on Dane Brugler's big board. The Cowboys got him at pick No. 56 in round two, so the value speaks for itself.
Kneeland actually posted the highest athletic score amongst all edge defenders, according to Nex Gen Stats. He had a higher score than first-round picks Dallas Turner and Chop Robinson in that regard. He pairs that athleticism with a relentless pursuit to the football.
With 33 3/4" inch arms and stonewall hands, Kneeland is a nightmare to block. He can set the edge against the run, which speaks to why the Cowboys view him as DeMarcus Lawrence's long-term replacement. He has freaky agility for his size and he has the traits to be an impact player from day one with the potential to morph into a true difference-maker once he molds his raw tools.
Cowboys draft grade for Cooper Beebe: A+
What is there not to love about the Cooper Beebe pick? It was shocking that Beebe fell out of the second round, let alone to the 73rd overall selection. Many draft analysts view Beebe as the steal of the entire draft.
Not only was Beebe a consensus first-team All-American last season for Kansas State, but he was First-Team All-Big 12 in each of the last three years. He made 48 starts at left tackle, left guard and right guard and allowed just nine total pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Beebe is elite in pass protection, but Cowboys fans are equally (if not more) excited for what he'll bring to the running game. If he starts at center like expected, he'll represent a weighty upgrade over Tyler Biadasz. The former Wildcat is one of the best picks of the draft regardless of team. An A+ is fitting.
Cowboys draft grade for Marist Liufau: B-
The Packers taking USC running back Marshawn LLoyd with the very next pick took some shine off the Liufau pick. Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network believes Lloyd is the best running back in the draft, so Cowboys fans will monitor Lloyd's career closely to see if the team missed out on a potential stud.
However, Dallas might've got a stud of their own in Liufau. The Notre Dame linebacker is built like a modern-day off-ball linebacker and he's a absolute thumper. He closes ground in a hurry thanks to his 4.64 40-yard dash and his 34 1/4-inch wingspan gives him a wide tackling radius.
Liufau is a little rough around the edges, but he has a high IQ and will have the luxury of being coached up by a linebacker whisperer in Mike Zimmer. Look for Liufau to be a core special teamer from day one and to carve out a decent role for himself in the linebacker rotation.
Cowboys draft grade for Caelen Carson: B-
Instead of reaching on a running back, the Cowboys smartly pounced on Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson with the No. 174 overall pick. Carson was expected to hear his name called on day two or round four and he was the No. 116 player on the draft expert consensus board.
Do the math, folks. That's tremendous value.
In a vacuum, though, Carson is a sticky press corner who plays to impact the game at the line of scrimmage. He's an extremely reliable and willing tackler, so he'll fit Mike Zimmer's scheme like a glove. His nose for the ball shows up in coverage, too, as he accumulated 29 pas deflections at Wake Forest.
If Carson brings that physicality and those ball skills to training camp, he has a better-than-puncher's chance at leapfrogging Eric Scott Jr. and Nahshon Wright on the depth chart.
Cowboys draft grade for Ryan Flournoy: C+
Flournoy is one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the 2024 class regardless of position. He scored a 9.88 relative athletic score and was one of the fastest wide receivers during position drills at the combine. In fact, he clocked the fastest GSP time during the pass-catching gauntlet.
Flournoy isn't a polished route-runner but he has the physical tools to make life difficult for whomever is tasked with covering him. He can play in the slot or out wide, so he brings versatility as a sixth-round pick. Expect him to have a highlight reel of catches in training camp and preseason.
Cowboys draft grade for Nathan Thomas: B+
You know it's a good pick when ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. raves about it. Kiper could hardly contain himself when the Cowboys picked Thomas. The Louisiana Lafayette product is a bully run-blocker. He was the only OT on Pro Football Focus' big board that posted a run-blocking grade north of 80.0 on gap-scheme run concepts. Thomas projects as a guard in the NFL that can win in space or in close-quarters.
Cowboys draft grade for Justin Rogers: B-
It took until their final pick, but the Cowboys added a nose tackle. Rogers isn't the fleetest of foot, but 1-tech tackles don't exactly need quick feet to produce in the NFL. In a nutshell, Rogers will close running gaps and push the pocket backward. He's the definition of a run-stuffer, which Dallas has sorely needed both during and after the 2023 season. Rogers will have every opportunity to make the roster given the lack of nose tackles on the roster.