Cowboys take best player available route by taking Marshawn Kneeland with 56th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

After addressing offensive line in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys turned around and addressed the defensive line by taking edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland out of Western Michigan. The Cowboys' need for an edge rusher was an underrated one due to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence making up one of […]

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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American offensive lineman Javon Foster of Missouri (75) battle National edge Marshawn Kneeland of Western Michigan (99) during the second half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

After addressing offensive line in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys turned around and addressed the defensive line by taking edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland out of Western Michigan.

The Cowboys' need for an edge rusher was an underrated one due to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence making up one of the best starting duos in the NFL. However, depth was near the top of the team's priorities after losing Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.

The Cowboys attempted to trade down from 56th overall but ultimately decided to take one of the best players available on the board. Kneeland was James Foster's 38th overall prospect and Dane Brugler's 32nd overall prospect.

Marshawn Kneeland Scouting Report from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster

Strengths:

  • Ideal athletic profile for a power rusher. Long arms, stocky build, low center of gravity
  • Surges into initial contact & drives legs to push the pocket
  • High motor rushing the QB or pursuing runs from the backside
  • Exceptional slide quickness when dropping into zone coverage. Short shuttle shows up on tape
  • Lifts the blocker's pad level & carves an entry through the B-gap
  • Maintains vision on the ballcarrier as he sheds blocks
  • Dismantles blocks from TEs & crushes the edge
  • Rapid hand usage to sift through blocks in the run game

Weaknesses:

  • Played against weak competition in the MAC
  • Struggles to sink his hips & bend at the top of the rush
  • Underdeveloped hand technique as a speed rusher
  • Modest college production
  • Doesn't consistently hold up vs down blocks & double teams on the interior
  • Needs to improve hand usage/efficiency to be more than a pocket-pusher

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