The Dallas Cowboys were a 12-win team last year and seek to be successful in the regular season yet again in 2024, with a sprinkle of January victories on top.

To get there, not much has changed for the Cowboys but there are five new starters ahead of Week 1 that fans need to be familiarized with before the game against the Cleveland Browns kicks off this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. 

Four of the five names on the list share an unusual common theme: They're rookies. Every year, NFL teams tweak their rosters but rookies, specially non first-rounders, are rarely asked with stepping up to the starting lineup right from the get go. Usually, free agents or young players with some experience fill in the gaps while the rookies develop or contribute from rotational roles.

Not in Dallas: The Cowboys made a big bet on their rookie class coming into the season and paired with a DaRon Bland injury, the team is leaning on four rookies to be starters in Week 1.

LT Tyler Guyton

The big one: The Cowboys are replacing a future Hall of Famer, Tyron Smith, with first-round rookie Tyler Guyton. At the time of the NFL Draft, this was perceived as a highly risky move considering Guyton's profile as a raw tackle that needed time to develop. To go from Smith to the Oklahoma product appeared to be a bold decision. What we didn't expect was the Sooner's insane work ethic putting him on a fast track to compete at a high level right away.

The truth is Guyton is a completely different player compared to what we saw from him in college. The Cowboys have witnessed him handle the likes of Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, and first-round rookie Jared Verse in training camp and the preseason. He appears to be ready. Although there will be growing pains, Guyton is far from the game-breaking weak link many thought he would be early on in the season.

Additionally, there's an argument to be made that he's an upgrade over Smith as far as run blocking goes, an area where Tyron wasn't particularly great in his final year with the Cowboys. 

C Cooper Beebe

Speaking of offensive linemen, the Cowboys are cashing in on a third-round draft pick thanks to Cooper Beebe. Despite being picked outside the Top 70, Beebe is set to be the starting center of the team after beating out Brock Hoffman for the starting role. 

Beebe might not be the most athletic offensive lineman on the unit but he sure is a strong and nasty blocker that can set the tone in the running game as he pursues his undying wish to "dirt" defenders and send them to the ground, something he does particularly well when he gets to climb to the second level and zero in on linebackers or defensive backs. 

Beebe's biggest question mark was all about whether or not he'd learn the position and so far, he's looked more than comfortable. He could be a legit upgrade over Tyler Biadasz. 

LB Eric Kendricks

Kendricks is the exception to the rule on this list. He's definitely not a rookie and he comes in as one of the most experienced players on the roster. Kendricks is the ultimate Mike Zimmer linebacker, with a high football IQ and great instincts making him look like he's going faster than he really is. He just knows exactly where to go.

He's also a reliable tackler, as he's gone eight consecutive seasons with at least 100 tackles. A former first-team All-Pro, Kendricks brings a lot of versatility as the middle linebacker on Zimmer's scheme. Fans will get to see him do a lot as one of the new starters on the team. 

CB Caelen Carson

The Cowboys were not expecting to ask Carson to start in 2024, to be fair. But DaRon Bland's injury has put them in this position after not re-signing Stephon Gilmore or adding experienced cornerback depth in free agency. 

The good news? The Cowboys might get away with it as their fifth-round draft pick has been impressive so far. Head coach Mike McCarthy recently told reporters Carson looked like he belongs in the NFL. Particularly, his physical style of play stood out in training camp and he also had some moments of top-tier sticky coverage. 

DE Marshawn Kneeland

I gotta be honest: Kneeland is the one man on this list I'm not sure we can label a starter. But here's the keep number I keep going back to: Zimmer told the media he was expecting Sam Williams to play between 70% and 75% of the snaps as he moved Micah Parsons around all over the field. He added that now Kneeland was set to play a lot. That's a starter's snap count.

Expect to see the second-round draft pick a whole lot this year and that might happen as soon as Week 1. Kneeland needs to develop a full pass rush toolbox but his strength and power make him an impact maker right away, specially as a run defender. 

5 Cowboys players who might not play in Week 1 despite making the team

Something to keep an eye out on.