Despite an NFC East championship and a 12-5 record, the Dallas Cowboys headed into the offseason with a bitter taste in their mouths after falling in the Wild Card round to the Green Bay Packers, 48-32.
Declaring they are “all in” after a brutal finish, the Cowboys didn’t inspire much hope in free agency. Did that change with their 2024 draft picks?
Dallas Cowboys Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 29 (from DET)
Tyler Guyton, OT | Oklahoma - Round 2, Pick 56
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE | Western Michigan - Round 3, Pick 73 (from DET through MIN)
Cooper Beebe, G | Kansas State - Round 3, Pick 87
Marist Liufau, LB | Notre Dame - Round 5, Pick 174 (Compensatory)
Caelen Carson, CB | Wake Forest - Round 6, Pick 216 (Compensatory)
Ryan Flournoy, WR | Southeast Missouri State - Round 7, Pick 233 (from LV)
Nathan Thomas, OT | Louisiana-Lafayette - Round 7, Pick 244
Justin Rogers, DT | Auburn
Who Did the Cowboys Draft in 2024?
Tyler Guyton, OT, Round 1, Pick 29
After trading back five spots with the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys likely landed the player they would have initially selected at No. 25. Following the departure of Tyron Smith, Dallas landed Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.
As Tyler Smith likely slides outside to left tackle, Guyton should immediately compete for the starting job at right tackle. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings analyzed Guyton in his scouting report.
Tyler Guyton has near-elite raw power and has room to grow into an impact starter for the #DallasCowboys. 👀#OUDNA pic.twitter.com/40JCflviqK
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
“Guyton is one of the most upside-driven tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.,” Cummings said. “Ideally, Guyton doesn’t start on Day 1 while he’s still learning the more minute details of tackle play, but he’s already given evaluators plenty of optimism for his development.”
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Round 2, Pick 56
Despite the presence of star edge rusher Micah Parsons, more help is on the way for the Cowboys. Dallas selected Western Michigan edge defender Marshawn Kneeland with the No. 56 overall pick. Kneeland enjoyed a meteoric rise due to an impressive pre-draft process.
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Kneeland’s potential as a powerful edge rusher in his scouting report.
KEEP READING: Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft Grades
“At 6’3″, 268 pounds, with 34″ arms, Marshawn Kneeland has a picture-perfect power profile,” Cummings said. “He’s well-leveraged, compact, and has the length to channel his explosiveness and mass into massive amounts of displacement energy at contact.”
Cooper Beebe, G, Round 3, Pick 73
After losing two starters in free agency, Dallas has rebuilt their offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cowboys selected Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe with the No. 73 overall selection in the third round.
Beebe should immediately compete for a starting job in Dallas. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Beebe’s consistent dominance in his scouting report.
““Reliable” is the first word that comes to mind when watching Cooper Beebe’s tape,” Cummings said. “It’s a word backed up by his reputation as one of the best blockers in college football. His four-position versatility and experience alone will earn fans, but at guard, he translates particularly well.”
Marist Liufau, LB, Round 3, Pick 87
Following the retirement of linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas is likely hoping to find his replacement. The Cowboys selected Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau with the No. 87 overall selection in the third round.
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Liufau’s athleticism and build in his scouting report. “Marist Liufau’s best reps present him as a potential top-50 talent,” Cummings said.
“And athletically, all of the tools are there. He’s 6’2″, 234 pounds, with long 34″ arms, and high-end speed and explosiveness. When he’s confident, he attacks downhill with voracity, but he’ll need to become much more consistent, and more refined in coverage, in order to reach his ultimate ceiling.”
Caelen Carson, CB, Round 5, Pick 174
The Cowboys may have landed one of the biggest steals in the 2024 NFL Draft in the fifth round. Dallas selected Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson with the No. 174 overall selection in the fifth round. Carson was viewed by some as a potential day two pick, including Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings.
“Caelen Carson doesn’t quite have an elite athletic profile, but he’s more than athletic enough to be a quality starter in the NFL,” Cummings said. “And if he can keep chipping away at varied technical inconsistencies across the coverage and support phases, he can be an impact starter in man-heavy schemes.”
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Round 6, Pick 216
While the Cowboys continue to work through contract negotiations with CeeDee Lamb, they added an intriguing wide receiver in the sixth round. Dallas selected Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Ryan Flournoy with the No. 216 overall selection in the sixth round. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Flournoy’s potential in his scouting report.
“Physical tools. Check. Production. Check. Inspiring Senior Bowl performance. Check,” Cummings said. “There’s a lot to like about Ryan Flournoy, but the concerns on his profile (namely route running, suddenness, and health) hinder his draft ceiling.”
Nathan Thomas, OT, Round 7, Pick 233
After losing Tyron Smith in free agency to the New York Jets, the Cowboys have now added two intriguing offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dallas selected Louisiana offensive tackle Nathan Thomas with the No. 233 overall selection in the seventh round. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Thomas’ rise in his scouting report.
“Nathan Thomas’ play took a massive leap from 2022 to 2023 at left tackle,” Cummings said. “He’s still developing his hand usage and weight distribution, but his heavy hands and movement skills are enticing.”
Justin Rogers, DT, Round 7, Pick 244
The Cowboys lost several players along the team’s defensive front in free agency. Which is likely why Dallas selected Auburn defensive tackle Justin Rogers with the No. 244 overall selection in the seventh round.
At 6’2 1/2″ and 330 pounds, Rogers will provide much-needed depth at nose tackle behind Mazi Smith. Dallas selected Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and Rogers will give the Cowboys another big body to throw at opposing offensive lines.