Solid Starter
Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State – Round 3 
The Cowboys lost veteran center Tyler Biadasz in free agency, and that left a big hole in the middle of the Dallas offensive line. After taking Tyler Guyton in the first round to be their left tackle of the future, Dallas added a potential center of the future in Beebe in the third round.
In the ground game, Beebe (6-3, 322) can generate some movement at the point of attack. He is strong and fires off the ball. With heavy hands and upper body strength, Beebe can knock defenders backward and generate a push at the point of attack. He torques and manipulates defenders to get some openings for his back. He also can get to blocks on linebackers and does a nice job of riding them out of a play when he gets a hold of them.
As a pass blocker, Beebe is polished and is reliable to keep his defender from getting heat on the quarterback. He is smart and adjusts well to games or stunts. Beebe does a quality job of riding defenders around the pocket when they try to beat him with speed. In the NFL, interior speed rushers could give him some issues as Beebe does not have special athleticism and does not stand out for having quick feet. However, those issues will be diminished greatly at center as he will have guard help frequently and will often be executing double team blocks with a guard.
The Cowboys will have to work with Beebe on snapping the ball, and that could make Beebe a backup as a rookie. After getting practice time in 2024, I think Beebe could emerge as their starting center in 2025 and turn into a solid starter for Dallas.
2023: DeMarvion Overshown, LB
2022: Jalen Tolbert, WR
2021: Micah Parsons, LB
2020: Trevon Diggs, CB
2019: Connor McGovern, G
2018: Leighton Vander Esch, LB
2017: Jourdan Lewis, CB
2016: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
2015: Chazz Green, OT
2014: Zack Martin, G
2013: Travis Frederick, C
Most Likely To Bust
Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan – Round 2 
The Cowboys lost several veteran defensive ends in free agency while other players like Demarcus Lawrence are aging. Kneeland provides some good depth and has the potential to be a solid run defender in the NFL. Kneeland was a dangerous pass rusher in college. However, in the NFL he won’t overwhelm offensive tackles with explosive speed or agility. Kneeland has athletic limitations and stiffness that I think could keep him from becoming a three-down starter. I think Dallas could opt for Sam Williams as the replacement for Lawrence with Kneeland topping out as a backup to rotate into the game in run situations to help keep Williams and Micah Parsons fresh. Second-round picks are supposed to develop into starters and if Kneeland is a rotational backup that would not be a good value for a second-round pick. Of the Cowboys selections on the first two days of the draft, I think Kneeland could be the one that is the most likely to disappoint.
2023: Luke Schoonmaker, TE
2022: Sam Williams, DE
2021: Nashon Wright, CB
2020: Tyler Biadasz, C
2019: Michael Jackson, CB
2018: Connor Williams, OT
2017: Chidobe Awuzie, CB
2016: Dak Prescott, QB
2015: Randy Gregory, DE
2014: Anthony Hitchens, LB
2013: Gavin Escobar, TE
Potential Boom Pick
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma – Round 1 
The Cowboys entered the draft needing offensive tackle help after moving on from long-time starting left tackle Tyron Smith. Dallas drew on a strong draft for offensive tackle talent to land Guyton after a trade down with the Lions that netted Dallas an additional third-round pick.
In pass protection, defenders have a very difficult time getting pressures versus Guyton. The sheer size of the 6-foot-7, 328-pounder makes him very difficult for edge rushers to get around as he eats up so much space and with his length, they have to take extra steps to get around him. That leads to his quarterback having more time to get the ball out. On top of his overwhelming size and length, Guyton is quick and smooth on the edge. He has lateral quickness and agility for such a massive blocker. With his ability to play the typewriter with his feet and get depth in his drop, Guyton can neutralize speed rushers. Guyton’s size and weight can also shut down bull rushes when he does a good job of sinking his weight and anchoring.
In the ground game, Guyton can be effective. Guyton has the mass to overwhelm and engulf defenders at the point of attack. He is smooth and not bad athletically for a massive blocker, so Guyton is able to execute zone runs. While Guyton is the size of a monster, he is not naturally physical or violent. Guyton needs to play with more power and show more of a mean streak for the NFL.
There is no doubt that Guyton needs development and is inconsistent on the field. He can look very good for several plays and then get beat or allow something he shouldn’t. That kind of inconsistency could be problematic for protecting his quarterback against NFL edge rushers. As a result, Guyton might not be ready to start immediately and could need some time to improve while receiving pro coaching.
Dallas was an excellent landing spot for Guyton as they have shown the ability to develop offensive linemen with good skill sets. Guyton might need a year to grow into being a professional, but with his athletic ability he could be a boom pick for the Cowboys.
2023: None
2022: Tyler Smith, CB
2021: Kelvin Joseph, CB
2020: CeeDee Lamb, WR
2019: Trysten Hill, DT
2018: Dorance Armstrong, DE
2017: Taco Charlton, DE
2016: Jaylon Smith, LB
2015: Byron Jones, S
2014: DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
2013: Terrance Williams, WR
Future Depth Player
Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest – Round 5 
The Cowboys ended Carson’s fall in the fifth round, which was a good landing spot. Carson is a legit contender to be a backup cornerback as Dallas does not have much at the position behind their starting trio. Along with being a favorite to be a backup, starter DaRon Bland is nearing the end of his contract and Dallas could have a tough time affording Bland after giving Trevon Diggs a massive contract. They must also account for expensive extensions for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. It would not be surprising if Bland is the odd man out. If Carson can impress as a backup and show that he is a good fit for Mike Zimmer’s defense, he could end up being a day-three steal for Dallas. Even if Carson doesn’t become a starter, I think he will be a good, dependable backup cornerback for Dallas that also contributes on special teams.
2022: Deuce Vaughn, RB
2022: Jake Ferguson, TE
2021: Jabril Cox, LB
2020: Bradley Anae, DE
2019: Tony Pollard, RB
2018: Michael Gallup, WR
2017: Ryan Switzer, WR
2016: Charles Tapper, DE
2015: Damien Wilson, LB
2014: Ben Gardner, DE
2013: Joseph Randle, RB
