In a game that was so miserably bad for the Dallas Cowboys, it would be hard to find many bright spots among the rookies.
Still, there was one rookie who put up a strong game despite the outcome of Sunday’s loss to the Saints.
Center Cooper Beebe stood out not only among the rookies, but the entire roster. He has only allowed one pressure and one sack this season.
Not bad for someone who never played a single snap at center in college.
Here’s how the rookie class fared.
Tyler Guyton
The first-round pick out of Oklahoma, Tyler Guyton made his second-straight start at left tackle. It wasn’t as impressive as his debut against Cleveland was.
Guyton took all 70 offensive snaps and another five on special teams. But he was flagged twice in the game.
He also allowed four pressures, three hurries, and one sack.
He received a pass-block grade of 69.9.
Marshawn Kneeland
The second-round pick acquitted himself well in his NFL debut last week against Cleveland. He was the Invisible Man on Sunday against the Saints.
Kneeland saw the field for just 18 defensive snaps and another seven snaps on special teams.
Given how badly the Cowboys are running the ball – and the front office’s refusal to sign a quality free agent back – Kneeland’s pick drifted back toward another wasted second round pick in Dallas.
Cooper Beebe
The third-round pick from Kansas State, Beebe, was one of the few bright spots in the loss with his second start at center and played all 70 offensive snaps and five of the special teams snaps there.
Beebe had another solid game, and even made a very nice downfield block on an Ezekiel Elliott catch and run. His play at center continues to be a vast upgrade over his predecessor, Tyler Biadasz.
He is ranked ninth in total offensive snaps played. His lone penalty called has him tied for fifth in the NFL in fewest penalties and he is tied for first in least sacks allowed with just one.
Marist Liufau
With DeMarvion Overshown curiously handcuffed by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the third-round pick from Notre Dame, Marist Liufau, got his first career start. He made three tackles, two solo.
Liufau had 48 defensive snaps, and another 26 on special teams in Sunday’s loss.
Despite not starting, Overshown had 62 defensive snaps and 13 on special teams and finished with four solo tackles.
Caelen Carson
The fifth-round pick from Wake Forest, Caelen Carson, made his second-straight start of the season.
The rookie had four solo tackles for the second straight week on 91 defensive snaps. As another sign of how bad the game was for the defense, those snaps were only 67% of the total snaps the defense took on the field.
Last week he had 60 snaps. That was 80% of the total defensive plays taken against the Browns.
Carson was targeted 10 times and allowed 44 yards on five catches and a touchdown.
Ryan Flournoy
The sixth-round pick from SE Missouri State, Ryan Flournoy, was inactive for the second-straight game.
Given how poorly the Cowboys’ receivers – aside from CeeDee Lamb – have performed, that probably needs to change this week.
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 before the season began and is now on the Bengals practice squad.
The Undrafted
Tight End Brevyn Spann-Ford, out of Minnesota, moved up the depth chart with Jake Ferguson on the mend.
Spann-Ford served as the back-up to Luke Schoonmaker against the Saints on Sunday. He saw 22 offensive snaps and another on special teams on Sunday.
He also had one target, which he dropped.
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.