Dallas Cowboys 2024 Rookie Class Check-In: How Are Tyler Guyton and Marshawn Kneeland Faring in Training Camp?

Everyone around the Dallas Cowboys knows that this is a big season for them. Even with so much uncertainty around the franchise beyond this year, Dallas opted to put much of its hope and faith this season in its young players.

With the Cowboys relying so heavily on their rookies this season, it’s time to check in with their 2024 NFL Draft picks through two weeks of training camp.

Dallas Cowboys 2024 Rookie Class Check-In

Tyler Guyton

The first-round tackle out of Oklahoma has been thrown into the fire from Day 1. With the almost impossible task of having to take over for future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, all signs have pointed toward a quality start for Tyler Guyton.

Guyton has stepped in and been impressive not only in individual work as he gets acclimated to the NFL life but also in team drills, and he has not backed down against the likes of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Tyler Guyton holding his own on the left side against Micah Parsons in his first padded practice of training camp#cowboyscamp @fox4 pic.twitter.com/ZdYEMRE7Zz

— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) July 30, 2024

He has a lot more work to do to be ready for Week 1 against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns. However, the early reports are that the rook has exceeded every expectation thus far.

Marshawn Kneeland

As defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said earlier this week, Marshawn Kneeland was always going to factor into the rotation early, but with the loss of EDGE Sam Williams to a knee tear, his participation is going to be sped up exponentially.

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The good thing is that all signs out of camp are that Kneeland has been impressive. His quick first step off of the line is physical at the point of contact, and he has continued to show the high-end motor that he flashed in college which prompted Dallas to draft him in the second round.

Like every young pass rusher, the former Western Michigan defender will need more refinement as he continues to build his pass-rushing bag. However, early indications are that the Cowboys are pleased with what they are seeing of him setting up what could be early playing time in 2024.

Cooper Beebe

Cooper Beebe was a pick that the Cowboys’ fanbase was ecstatic about. He is a true mauler of an offensive lineman who was penciled in to be the Cowboys’ Day 1 center in 2024. While that still can become true, he is still currently locked in a position battle with veteran Brock Hoffman.

Hoffman has been good in camp so far, and Beebe has struggled with his snaps as he transitions inside to center. With that obviously being vital to the position, Beebe’s been seen as a work in progress while still showing some promise early in camp.

Marist Liufau

When caught in the mix of a group that consists of a long-time veteran Eric Kendricks, exciting second-year player DeMarvion Overshown, and a resurging veteran in Damone Clark, it’s hard to stand out.

Such is the case for Marist Liufau, who hasn’t been bad in camp by any stretch but hasn’t yet popped like some of the rookies before him. What he has done has shown the speed, intelligence, and physicality the team drafted him for, which are all good signs for a rookie linebacker who is trying to break into the rotation.

He may start as a special teams specialist early on, but the vibe around Liufau is promising.

Caelen Carson

What may be the biggest steal of the Cowboys draft, and possibly the biggest surprise of camp, is the play of cornerback Caelen Carson. The young cornerback out of Wake Forest has been excellent in camp and has everyone around the team talking about what he has been able to do in the first two weeks.

What a play. Rookie 5th round pick Caelen Carson with a nice leaping interception in coverage against John Stephens.

Carson with a heck of a start to training camp. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/gZuF9NExrV

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 28, 2024

Sticky in coverage, physical off of the line, and always finding a way to get a hand on the football or take it away — Carson has been everything defensive backs coach Al Harris hoped he would be.

He may be CB4 right now behind a stacked group, but if called into action, confidence in Carson appears to be growing by the day.

Ryan Flournoy

Within the first couple of days of camp, the vibe around Ryan Flournoy was one of intrigue. He was making plays in 1-on-1 drills and was productive in team work. However, he has been dealing with a knee issue over the last few days, which has limited his ability to participate, setting him back in a tightly contested wide receiver room.

Nathan Thomas

It’s hard to stand out in the offensive line room, especially with so much attention on the stars ahead of you. However, seventh-round pick Nathan Thomas has been able to turn a few heads, especially during 1-on-1 work.

Thomas is a big-bodied offensive lineman with positional flexibility. He has been able to show off his anchor in the competition periods, and his ability to latch on to pass rushers, sit down, and stop their momentum has impressed those around the team.

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While he is a draft-and-develop guy right now, the feeling around Thomas is that he is moldable clay the team is eager to keep working with.

Justin Rogers

There aren’t many seventh-round-pick, No. 244 guys who are expected to factor in early. However, that could be the case for Justin Rogers. The former Auburn Tiger is a big-body space eater who has been a massive force in the middle of Mike Zimmer’s defense.

Dallas didn’t do much to improve its defensive tackle position, with Rogers’ pick being the only addition this offseason. His development will be important as he continues to learn his role in the NFL game, but no one should be surprised if, based on the work he has put together thus far, he can carve out a role for himself this year.