The Athletic has live coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft 24 hours a day. Check out Dane Brugler's comprehensive draft guide, The Beast, and a breakdown of the top 300 prospects available..
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25th by acquiring seven picks in a three-day draft.
The Cowboys added edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on Friday night with the 56th overall pick in the second round. Kneeland was ranked as the No. 32 prospect on Dane Brugler's final Top 300 Candidates Big Board.
They added another pick before acquiring a first-round pick Thursday, trading down to No. 29 with the Detroit Lions and acquiring offensive tackle Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma State. The Cowboys also received the Lions' third-round pick (No. 73) and gave Detroit a 2025 seventh-round pick.
The Cowboys have big questions on their offensive line and don't have a clear No. 1 running back. Tyler Smith, a Pro Bowl guard in 2023, is the anchor on the left side of the line. If Dallas determines Guyton can start at left tackle, he could remain there. The departure of Tyler Biadasz also created an opening at center. With Tony Pollard signing with the Tennessee Titans, Rico Doodle is the Cowboys' top returning back (they also recently added veteran Royce Freeman), and running backs are not considered in the first round of this draft. It's unlikely, but he will be Dallas' primary target.
NFL Draft 2024 Tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big boards available: Who remains in Dane Brugler's top 300?
Draft pick performance: Nick Baumgardner and Scott Doctorman review selections
Complete draft order: All 257 teams selected
“Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reactions to the draft
Come back here throughout the draft for analysis and evaluation of each Cowboys pick.
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round 1
29th place: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma
Analysis by Dane Brugler
Guyton, a second-year starter at Oklahoma, started at right tackle in former offensive coordinator Jeff Levy's scheme that focused on gaps in the inside zone. An athlete who has focused on basketball for most of his life, he moved to the offensive line while at TCU and later developed into a starter for the Sooners, protecting Dillon Gabriel's blindside at right tackle.
An agile big man, Guyton can stay square to pass rushers with a balanced lateral step, can easily change direction, and does a great job in open space with surprising range ( NFL scout: “The OU coaches just marvel at him. They call him different than everyone else they've had.” ”). He continues to control his punches and serve as a sticky blocker, but his accuracy and fit entry are underdeveloped and overall timing is still not a strength to his game.
Overall, Guyton is developing in some areas and expects a steep learning curve in his rookie season, but he has the athleticism and fundamental skills to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. be. He has the talent to play either left tackle or right tackle, but his comfort level is clearly on the right side. As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he will continue on an upward trajectory.
Analysis of Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf
How the Cowboys decided on Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton to be their next left tackle
Dallas Cowboys Draft Tyler Guyton: His Fit, Pick Grade, Scouting Information
Scott Doctorman Grade: B
First round results for all 32 players
round 2
No. 56: Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
Dane Brugler Analysis
A third-year starter, Kneeland thrived as an edge rusher in defensive coordinator Lou Esposito's four-man attack. A low-ranked recruit (No. 3,427 overall in the 2019 class), he improved every season in college and had perhaps the best record among pass rushers in 2023 with his performance against Eastern Michigan.
When buying a pass rusher, give me someone who hates getting blocked. Kneeland certainly qualifies, as he uses long arms and strong hands to loosen up. He doesn't have the rushing talent that would translate into high-end production, but he has explosive movement with the power to push the pocket and plant ball carriers.
Overall, Kneeland is still taking classes in pass-rushing techniques, but he charges into contact, shows twitchiness throughout his frame, and can beat blockers in a variety of ways. He projects as a starting base end, where his best football is yet to come.
Analysis of Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf
Dallas Cowboys Draft Marshawn Nyland: His Fit, Pick Grade, Scouting Information
Nick Baumgardner Grade: A
Performance of all round 2 and 3 picks
round 3
73rd: Cooper Beebe, guard, Kansas State
Analysis by Dane Brugler
Beebe, a fourth-year starter at Kansas State, was primarily at left guard in former offensive coordinator Colin Kline's multi-run scheme, but he also started at both tackle spots. One of his goals was to become the first offensive lineman to be named to KSU's Ring of Honor. That honor should be in his future after he was named a consensus All-American as the first offensive lineman in school history.
In pass protection, Beebe lacks the recovery skills, but he has the disciplined eye you'd expect from a veteran, and he shows measured steps and strong hands to keep rushers occupied (his last collegiate player). He allowed just one sack in 41 games). Despite leaning too heavily in the run game, Kansas State's offense consistently found run success getting in his way.
Overall, Beebe doesn't have the ideal arm length that most teams would like, but he is sturdy, controlled, and plays strong on contact. He fits in both gap and zone schemes in the NFL and is projected as a starting guard in the upper echelons.
Scott Doctorman Grade: A+
Performance of all round 2 and 3 picks
No. 87: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
Analysis by Dane Brugler
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Liufau played linebacker for the Will in head coach Marcus Freeman's 4-2-5 base scheme. After being sidelined for the 2021 season with a broken ankle, he started 25 consecutive games and was often the most energetic player on the field until the end of his Irish career. Liufau plays well in contact, using his explosiveness and physicality at the end to punch above his weight class on the downhill. His explosive energy helps him cover a lot of ground in a hurry, but he needs to play with better anticipation and control to play as a playmaker and tackler in coverage.
Overall, Liufau has interesting traits such as length, explosiveness and violence, but needs to improve his playing instincts to balance his relentless playing style. He should shine as a “core four” special teamer in the NFL, but (much like Divine Diablo of the Las Vegas Raiders) is being coached to get a chance to play meaningful defensive snaps.
Scott Doctorman Grade: C+
Performance of all round 2 and 3 picks
round 5
No.174 (compensation)
round 6
No.216 (compensation)
round 7
No. 233 (via Raiders)
No.244
(Cooper Beebe photo: Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
