Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys faced an uncertain beginning to their 2024 campaign, mostly due to the fact the team’s rookie class would play a major factor. The guys who got reps played above expectation and should give Cowboys fans a new found level of optimism.

OT Tyler Guyton

All week it was the Guyton vs. Garrett show in the media. Mainstream media and pundits took plenty of time this week to discuss the fact Dallas was starting two rookie offensive linemen against the Browns exceptional pass rush, and more specifically against Myles Garrett. This led to a lot of attention and apprehension from fans watching this particular matchup, and for the most part, Guyton was great. Sure, it wasn’t perfect and he drew the penalty with the block to the back which negated a positive play, but he did his job for the most part. Guyton played all 60 offensive snaps against the Browns, he allowed a total of two pressures and only one sack. Against a defense that was sixth-most in sacks last year and facing Myles Garrett, you have to be impressed with the start Guyton had.

DE Marshawn Kneeland

Kneeland was formidable on Sunday and seemed to get more impactful as the day went on. In the second half he made a huge stop to kill a drive down in the Cowboys redzone. Kneeland was an integral part of the onslaught of pressure the Cowboys defensive line placed on Deshaun Watson, who was lost and bewildered for the majority of the game. Kneeland ended the game with three tackles, no sacks, but he did finish with five total pressures, that ranks third-most on the team only behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. As a run defender he was one of the most effective and efficient players. An extremely positive beginning for Kneeland.

iOL Cooper Beebe

The concern with Beebe coming into the game wasn’t the blocking but the snapping. After months of constant practice (both at practice and at home) it looks as though Beebe is on target and consistent with his snaps. It’s still early to completely tick that box with him, but playing center in his first game environment, under that pressure to get it done, he looked totally fine. Remarkably there were only two players on the offensive line that had a completely clean game with zero pressures allowed, zero sacks allowed and zero penalties. One was Tyler Smith, the other was Cooper Beebe!

LB Marist Liufau

Everyone had high expectations for Liufau this week. But of all the rookies that featured against the Browns, Liufau had the fewest snaps. The Cowboys linebacker corps was on fire and really answered some lingering concerns about the position. Liufau only played on six snaps against the Browns and recorded one tackle. He will have to wait another week to show off his skills, and that’s not a bad thing.

CB Caelen Carson

It was a solid start from the rookie cornerback that had some Cowboys fans in fear before the game. Carson faced Amari Cooper on the field a number of times and held his own against the veteran wide receiver. Carson came close on three occasions to swiping an interception. In his inaugural NFL game would have been mind blowing. He ended the day with four tackles and led the team with two pass breakups. Take a bow Carson.

WR Ryan Flournoy

Inactive/Did not play for this game.

TE Brevyn Spann-Ford

Spann-Ford played 18 snaps against Cleveland. He didn’t have any receptions and the majority of his work came in the form as a blocker. Ford played on 10 run blocking snaps and one passing snap. Nothing to declare here in the negative column.

S Emany Johnson

Inactive/Did not play for this game.

LB Brock Mogensen

Inactive/Did not play for this game.

DT Denzel Daxon

Inactive/Did not play for this game.