It might only be one game into the season, but the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 rookie class is already off to a much better start than the 2023 class had.
Mazi Smith was handcuffed by an inexplicable decision to have him drop weight. Luke Schoonmaker’s pre-existing foot injury limited him.
DeMarvion Overshown’s pre-season injury derailed his season before it began.
As for the rest of the class? They were pretty much a no-show in 2023.
The team’s three undrafted free agent rookies each outplayed the 2023 draft class.
That doesn’t seem to be a concern in 2024 as this year’s class had an overall great opening game in Cleveland in Sunday’s 33-17 win.
If the rookies can keep up the good work, this could prove to be one of Dallas’ better years – at least for this century.
Tyler Guyton
The first-round pick out of Oklahoma, Tyler Guyton stepped right into the starting role at left tackle and had a solid game – especially for a rookie.
Guyton took all 63 offensive snaps and was flagged just once – an illegal block late in the game. He also held his own for the most part against the Browns’ Myles Garrett.
In short, if he keeps playing like this, he just mike make us all forget about Tyron Smith sooner rather than later.
Marshawn Kneeland
The second-round pick was originally met with some doubt, but Marshawn Kneeland acquitted himself well in his NFL debut.
Kneeland finished with three tackles and a defended pass. He also got in two hits on the quarterback.
Kneeland saw the field for 44 defensive snaps – just under 60% of the time the Cowboys were on the field on Sunday.
He’s wearing DeMarcus Ware’s old number, and he still has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ware. Be he’s off to a good start.
Cooper Beebe
The third-round pick from Kansas State, Cooper Beebe, got the start at center against the Browns and played all but one of the offensive snaps there.
Beebe was not flagged for a single penalty in the game. His play at center is already a vast upgrade over his predecessor, Tyler Biadasz.
Marist Liufau
With Overshown apparently more than fully recovered from his knee injury that kept him off the field in his own rookie year, Marist Liufau did not see the field much on Sunday.
But the third-round pick from Notre Dame made the most of it when he did. Liufau saw nine defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps against the Browns.
He made two solo tackles in those 22 plays that he was on the field for.
Caelen Carson
DaRon Bland’s injury thrust Caelen Carson, the fifth-round pick from Wake Forest, into the starting cornerback role opposite Trevon Diggs.
The rookie stepped up and embraced the spotlight. Carson had four solo tackles and defended two passes in the game.
He also appeared to be tormenting former Cowboys’ receiver Amari Cooper at least twice with his coverage.
Carson was on the field for 60 defensive snaps. That was just under 80% of the total plays the defense was on the field for against the Browns.
Ryan Flournoy
The sixth-round pick from SE Missouri State, Ryan Flournoy, was inactive for the season-opener against Cleveland.
Nathan Thomas
Offensive Tackle Nathan Thomas, the seventh round pick out of Louisiana, is on injured reserve.
But at least he is still in the organization. His fellow seventh round pick, Justin Rogers, was cut two weeks ago and is now on the Bengals practice squad.
Say what you will about the 2023 Draft Class.
But at least all of them stayed in Dallas for their rookie seasons.
The Undrafted
Last year three undrafted free agents made significant impacts on the team. Kicker Brandon Aubrey, offensive lineman T.J. Bass, and fullback Hunter Luepke actually outplayed the drafted rookies.
This year, the Cowboys kept four undrafted free agent rookies – and only one is currently on the active roster.
Tight End Brevyn Spann-Ford, out of Minnesota, began Sunday as the third tight end. He’ll likely be the TE2 behind Luke Schoonmaker this Sunday.
Jake Ferguson’s injury has probably opened a door for Spann-Ford to make some plays.
He saw 19 offensive snaps and another four on special teams on Sunday.
He did not record a stat in the game. His strength is in run blocking, but he might see a target or two against the Saints.
The other three undrafted rookies are currently on the practice squad.
Safety Emany Johnson, Defensive Tackle Denzel Daxon, and linebacker Brock Mogensen will likely remain there until an injury necessitates a call up.