Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys, perhaps more than others, depend on their rookies a significant amount. With a conservative approach to free agency, Dallas leans on their newly drafted talent to fill in the gaps.

With the Cowboys selecting eight players in this year’s class, each player will come with a varying degree of expectation. Some will be counted on right away, while others will be given time to develop. Each player has their own path, and we dissect each individual case for the entire class.

Expectations for Cowboys’ rookie class

Round 1 • Pick 29 (29) • OT Tyler Guyton

There isn’t a rookie, or perhaps a young player altogether, on the Cowboys roster with more pressure and hope resting on his shoulders. Tyler Guyton is expected to be the Day 1 starter at left tackle, tasked with protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside and filling the vacancy left by future hall-of-fame player Tyron Smith.

He is expected to be a good player early on, but the hope is that he can also be a cornerstone player in a reasonably quick timeframe. How good and how fast he can achieve this will be crucial for this team’s success.

Round 2 • Pick 24 (56) • EDGE Marshawn Kneeland

While Guyton was being thrust into a situation from the get-go, Marshawn Kneeland faced a similar current situation; only his came at the start of camp due to an injury. Sam Williams is out for the year with a knee injury, and as a result, Kneeland’s role increased significantly.

Kneeland is expected to get a lot of playing time and appears to be one of the top four pass rushers the team has on the roster right now. He will be asked to spell the established starters and bring pass-rushing production right out of the gate.

Round 3 • Pick 9 (73) • G Cooper Beebe

The Cowboys are three-for-three when it comes to this rookie class having significant meaning to their immediate success. Cooper Beebe was a celebrated pick by the fanbase, as many appreciated the former Kansas State star’s playing style.

Fast-forward to the present day and Beebe is the winner of a position battle against veteran Brock Hoffman. This sets up two rookies to start on the offensive line in Week 1. Much like Guyton, Beebe is hoped to be a long-time staple in the middle of the line.

Round 3 • Pick 24 (87) • LB Marist Liufau

As you get later in Day 2 and into Day 3, expectations begin to shift a bit. While that’s true, it doesn’t mean you can’t find or expect impact early on. Such looks to be the case for linebacker Marist Liufau, who is expected to be a significant piece on special teams while being a trusted depth piece on defense.

Round 5 • Pick 39 (174) • CB Caelen Carson

Much like Kneeland two rounds before him, Caelen Carson finds himself potentially stepping up in a far bigger way than he initially planned. With star cornerback DaRon Bland out for 4-6 games, Carson is expected to be the starting cornerback opposite of Trevon Diggs for Week 1.

It’s a massive ask of a fifth-round pick, but all camp, he has impressed the coaching staff, and if he gets the start for game No. 1, he will have earned it.

Round 6 • Pick 40 (216) • WR Ryan Flournoy

Perhaps one of the more intriguing and exciting draft picks of the season, Ryan Flournoy was a preseason darling that has those around the team thinking they’ve found another late-round gem.

With two touchdowns in three games, along with exciting route running and physicality while blocking on the outside, Flournoy has looked every bit the part of a quality NFL wide receiver thus far. Just how much he factors into the passing game this year remains to be seen, but those around the team feel good about his future prospects.

Round 7 • Pick 13 (233) • OT Nathan Thomas

He was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Round 7 • Pick 24 (244) • DT Justin Rogers

Cut—on the Cincinnati Bengals now.