Alright, Cowboys fans, let’s dive into the 2024 rookie class and break down who really stepped up this past season. We’re not talking draft order here—forget the hype of where they were picked. This is about how these guys played on the field, how they suited up for Dallas, and what they brought to the table in a year that had its share of ups and downs. From the trenches to the secondary, here’s your top 5 performers from the Cowboys’ 2024 draft haul, ranked by their impact in Big D.
1. Cooper Beebe – The Anchor in the Middle
Let’s start with the guy who became the heartbeat of the offensive line: Cooper Beebe. Drafted out of Kansas State, this dude slid into the starting center spot like he’d been doing it his whole life—and he hadn’t, not really. Beebe was a guard and tackle in college, but when Tyler Biadasz bolted in free agency, Dallas threw him into the deep end. And man, did he swim. Starting all 17 games, Beebe was a rock, grading out at 73.2 overall by PFF, with a slick 75.1 in run-blocking. That’s the kind of steady hand you need when your O-line’s been hit by veteran departures like Tyron Smith. Dak Prescott had a cleaner pocket more often than not, and Ezekiel Elliott found some daylight thanks to Beebe’s nasty push up front. For a rookie to step into that kind of pressure cooker and not just survive but thrive? That’s special, folks. He’s not rewriting NFL history yet, but he’s laying a foundation that could make him a fan favorite for years.
2. Tyler Guyton – The Big Man Learning on the Fly
Next up, Tyler Guyton, the first-rounder out of Oklahoma tasked with filling Tyron Smith’s massive shoes at left tackle. Talk about a tall order—pun intended. Guyton’s a 6’7” athletic freak, but he mostly played right tackle in college, so flipping to the left side in the NFL was like learning to write with your off hand while getting chased by Micah Parsons in practice. He started 14 games, battling through a couple of minor injuries, and posted a 68.4 PFF grade with a 70.3 in pass-blocking. Now, he gave up 4 sacks and 28 pressures over 589 snaps, which isn’t perfect, but for a rookie facing the league’s best edge rushers, it’s a solid start. You could see the potential in his quick feet and long arms—he’d stonewall guys one play, then get caught leaning the next. It’s growing pains, sure, but when he was on, Prescott had time to cook. Guyton’s still figuring it out, but he’s already showing he can hang with the big boys. Give him a year or two, and he might just be the next cornerstone up front.
3. Marshawn Kneeland – The Run-Stopping Bulldog
Switching gears to the defense, Marshawn Kneeland out of Western Michigan brought some grit to the D-line that Cowboys fans are gonna love. Playing behind stars like Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, Kneeland wasn’t asked to light up the stat sheet, but he made his 421 snaps count. He racked up 3 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and 18 pressures, grading out at 67.8 overall. Where he really shined, though, was stuffing the run—his 72.1 run-defense grade was a bright spot on a defense that’s had its struggles against the ground game. Picture this: a bruising back like Derrick Henry comes barreling through, and there’s Kneeland, crashing the party with a thud. He only started 3 games, but he played all 17, giving the D-line some much-needed depth and versatility. He’s not a household name yet, but he’s the kind of player who wins over coaches and teammates with his motor. Keep an eye on this guy—he’s got the tools to climb the depth chart.
4. Marist Liufau – The Swiss Army Knife
Now, let’s talk about Marist Liufau, the Notre Dame linebacker who became a jack-of-all-trades for Mike Zimmer’s defense. Liufau wasn’t a full-time starter—2 starts in 16 games—but he made his 312 defensive snaps and 187 special teams reps matter. He notched 24 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack, with a PFF grade of 65.2. Nothing eye-popping there, but here’s the kicker: he stepped up when injuries hit, like with DeMarvion Overshown, and held his own. Zimmer loves guys who can do a little bit of everything—rush the edge, drop into coverage, tackle in space—and Liufau fit that mold. One play he’s chasing a tight end downfield, the next he’s crashing the backfield. He’s not rewriting the linebacker playbook, but he’s the kind of glue guy who keeps a defense humming. For a rookie, that’s a win, and it’s why he cracks this list.
5. Caelen Carson – The Surprise in the Secondary
Rounding out the top 5, we’ve got Caelen Carson, a Wake Forest corner who went from fifth-round afterthought to legit contributor. In a secondary with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, you’d think a rookie would be stuck on the bench, but Carson forced his way into the mix. He played 15 games, started 4, and logged 287 snaps, finishing with 32 tackles, 1 interception, and 5 pass breakups. His PFF grade? A respectable 63.9. What stood out was his physicality—he graded 66.4 against the run, which fits Zimmer’s tough-minded scheme like a glove. Sure, he had some rookie moments in coverage, getting burned here and there, but he also flashed with that pick and some clutch breakups. For a Day 3 pick to start games and snag a takeaway in a loaded CB room? That’s the kind of underdog story Cowboys Nation eats up. Carson’s not a star yet, but he’s got the makings of a steal.
The Rest of the Crew
Real quick on the others: Ryan Flournoy, the sixth-round wideout, had 6 catches for 74 yards in 10 games—flashes of talent, but buried behind CeeDee Lamb and company. Nathan Thomas, a seventh-round tackle, got 42 snaps as a backup, still raw but learning. And Justin Rogers, another seventh-rounder at defensive tackle, played 136 snaps over 9 games with 8 tackles—depth for now, not much else. These guys didn’t crack the top 5, mostly because they didn’t get the reps or make the splash the others did.
What It All Means
So, there you have it—Beebe leading the charge with his O-line dominance, Guyton holding down the fort at tackle, Kneeland bringing the heat on D, Liufau doing the dirty work, and Carson surprising everyone in the back end. This 2024 class didn’t light the world on fire—Dallas had a rocky year overall—but these five showed up and gave us something to chew on. Beebe looks like a keeper, Guyton’s got star potential, and the rest are building blocks. For a team trying to reload after losing some big names, that’s not a bad haul. What do you think, Cowboys fans? Who’s your rookie MVP from this bunch? Hit me up—let’s talk ball.
