Grading the Cowboys 2024 Draft Class: They came in with one task in mind and got it done
The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2024 NFL Draft with a clear priority: Rebuild a torn apart offensive line following free agency. By trading down in the first round and picking two offensive linemen in the Top 75, they took a major step toward achieving it as they landed two potential starters ahead of the […]
The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2024 NFL Draft with a clear priority: Rebuild a torn apart offensive line following free agency.
By trading down in the first round and picking two offensive linemen in the Top 75, they took a major step toward achieving it as they landed two potential starters ahead of the regular season.
But let's get into the nitty gritty: Below you can find grades for each pick as well as overall thoughts on the entire group, which might've been one of the best crops in the NFL this weekend.
Round 1, No. 29 overall: OT Tyler Guyton
Breaking down the pick: There were two other NFL teams working the phones to try and jump back into the first round to get Guyton on their team. This pick will take some time for a definitive grade, as Tyler is a raw prospect with elite athletic traits and the agility of a former basketball player.
Considering the team got an additional third rounder after trading down from 24th overall and that the team's plans are to build for the future, it was a very positive first round for the Cowboys.
Final grade: B+
Round 2, No. 56 overall: EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Breaking down the pick: The Cowboys' need for an edge rusher was underrated and per multiple draft boards (including James Foster's and Dane Brugler's), Kneeland was a Top 40 prospect.
To get him at 56th overall should be considered a steal by Dallas, who get a lengthy and athletic prospect that could make an impact primarily as a run defender while he gets better as a pass rusher.
Final grade: A-
Round 3, No. 73 overall: iOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Breaking down the pick: This is perhaps my favorite pick on the Cowboys' draft class at least from a value standpoint. Beebe projects as a plug-and-play interior lineman at the NFL level even if his ceiling isn't exactly the highest.
With sub-32-inch arms, Beebe is guaranteed to play on the inside and Dallas will ask him to learn how to play center, where he could end up beating Brock Hoffman and start as early as Week 1. Beebe is a nasty blocker with powerful hands who dominated Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat in 2023. He was in Dane Brugler's Top 40.
Final grade: A+
Round 3, No. 87 overall: LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Breaking down the pick: It's only fair to question the value of Liufau at 87th overall, with him ranking 158th on the consensus board and 154th on James Foster's Big Board.
With that being said, the Cowboys absolutely needed linebacker depth and with no fourth rounder, it was their best shot at addressing the need. Liufau will be a starter on special teams but will need time to be a contributor on defense as he needs to improve his vision on the gridiron.
Final grade: C+
Round 5, No. 174 overall: CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
Breaking down the pick: The Cowboys were expected to go running back here entering Day 3 but after a run on the position before their pick, you've got to give it to them for not reaching for need and instead taking one of the best players on the board.
Carson can play outside and at nickel, providing the Cowboys with solid depth with starting upside down the road.
Final grade: B+
Round 6, No. 216 overall: WR Ryan Flournoy, SE Missouri State
Breaking down the pick: In Flournoy, the Cowboys inject size and speed into the WR room. The Athletic's Dane Brugler graded Flournoy as a sixth rounder entering the Draft so the team appears to have gotten fair value here.
Flournoy isn't a developed route runner but was named one of the biggest winners from the Senior Bowl as he performed well against FBS competition after a productive couple of seasons at the FCS level where he dominated opponents thanks to his build.
From A to Z Sports' Travis May after the Combine: Flournoy showed some burst on tape at SEMO, but 39.5 inches in the vertical and 11 feet in the board jump is crazy for a small school wide receiver. He was likely on the fringe of going undrafted prior to this showing, but no longer.
Final grade: B
Round 7, No. 233 overall (from LVR): OT Nathan Thomas, Louisiana
Breaking down the pick: Dane Brugler graded Nathan Thomas a fifth-round talent. To get that value in the seventh for a 6-foot-5 offensive lineman with powerful hands, you've got to be excited. With sub-34-inch arms, Thomas' best football might come inside at guard. He'll take time to develop but Thomas could push some well-known names out of the 53-man roster this summer.
Final grade: A-
Round 7, No. 244 overall: DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
Breaking down the pick: Rogers might not present a ton of upside and many considered him a UDFA prospect but he comes in to fill a massive need for the Cowboys
Final grade: B-
Final Grade: B+
This had to be one of the best classes in the 2024 NFL Draft all in all. The first-round trade absolutely made this year's process as pulling the trigger on it allowed the team to grab a couple of starting-caliber offensive linemen.
To make it even better, the Cowboys front office consistently went after some of the best players available on the board, yielding a crop of rookies that has a high likelihood of having a 100% 53-man roster hit rate.
