As the 2024 season inches closer, it is clear that the Cowboys rookies will have a major say in how this season turns out.
When you look at the draft class, finding someone who won’t have to contribute somehow is hard.
Most classes have some “stow-away” developmental guys.
And while there are rookies in Dallas who are not the most pro-ready, they may not have the option of being stashed away from development purposes.
Of course, the Cowboys’ early-round picks are expected to make some noise.
Both Tyler Guyton and Marshawn Kneeland will get a ton of opportunities, and Guyton will likely start at left tackle.
The middle rounders, Center Cooper Beebe and Linebacker Marist Liufau are also expected starters.
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Those two are filling perhaps the biggest positional weaknesses on the roster.
There is a bigger question to answer with this year’s Cowboys rookies, and it has to do with the late-round guys.
Dallas drafted four players in the late rounds of the draft, and you can carve out a scenario for each of them to contribute in a major way.
But which one of them will stand out the most?
There are arguments to be made for each late-round rookie, so let’s make them.
5th Rounder, CB Caelen Carson
The first late-round rookie for the Cowboys came out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Cornerback Caelen Carson.
This former Wake Forest star was one of my favorite picks in the entire draft.
Carson was expected to go in the top 100, but fell into the Cowboys’ lap at pick 174 instead.
Not only was this a good value pick for Dallas, but it filled a need that could result in playing time for the 5th rounder this season.
According to ESPN’s depth chart, Carson projects to be the 4th/5th cornerback for Dallas this season.
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Sitting behind DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Jourdan Lewis, and competing with Nahshon Wright for the next spot, there is a clear pathway to on-field snaps for him.
He fits the Mike Zimmer system well and brings size and sticky-coverage skills.
That is a clear recipe for early-career opportunities for Carson, despite being a late-round selection.
This might be the easiest answer to the question we’re discussing.
6th Rounder, WR Ryan Flournoy
Next in line to discuss is an early Cowboys fan favorite.
Rookie Wide Receiver Ryan Flournoy has caught the attention of fans and media early in his Cowboys career.
The former Southeast Missouri State product is intriguing and talented.
So much so that he could end up getting a role in the Dallas offense despite being the 216th pick in the draft.
Flournoy stood out at the Senior Bowl and during his collegiate career, where he put up 15 total touchdowns in the last two seasons.
The reason Flournoy could end up getting snaps also has to do with the depth chart.
Right now, WR3 looks like a battle between Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin, two relatively inexperienced receivers.
Flournoy is sitting right behind them on the depth chart and likely has more potential than both.
If Tolbert once again fails to produce, and Turpin isn’t as explosive a receiver as he is a returner, watch out for Flournoy.
He could end up on the field in a hurry.
7th Rounder, OT Nathan Thomas
The hardest case to make for this question is with 7th-round pick, Nathan Thomas.
Coming out of Louisiana Lafayette, Thomas is being viewed as more of a project pick than anything else.
However, with how volatile Dallas’ offensive tackle situation is, we can’t count him out.
Thomas is a mountain of a man, standing 6’5″ and 330 lbs.
At the same time, however, he has impressive agility which is likely to get him snaps at both tackle and guard in his NFL career.
This adds fuel to his rookie campaign, as being a depth piece for both positions means he can fill in for just about anybody.
The Cowboys were really fired up about drafting him.
And while it will likely take a little bit more time for us to see why, you can’t ignore him as a potential starter if injuries happen.
7th Rounder, DT Justin Rogers
There is a clear dark horse in this race, and it is former Auburn Tiger Justin Rogers.
If you told me one of these guys would end up starting in Week 1, my best guess would be this kid.
Despite being the Cowboys’ last draft pick at 244th overall, he has a chance to win the nose tackle job outright.
Right now, his competition for that job is former 1st round pick, Mazi Smith.
And not only is Smith coming off a poor rookie season, but he is also still recovering from an off-season shoulder injury.
This is going to give Rogers, somebody who fits the Zimmer system and is a polished talent on the inside, a perfect opportunity to start quickly.
While it’s too early to call it quits on Smith, you can’t ignore the warning signs.
If those sirens with Smith just keep on ringing, you can expect Rogers to get snaps very early in his career.
The last Cowboys rookie to be drafted may contribute the most.