Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys did not do much in free agency, which made their 2024 NFL Draft more important. This team is in a weird spot where they want to compete for a Super Bowl, and their most important players are not signed to long-term deals. This draft class will likely play a key part in the success of the 2024 season. Did they make picks that will help them now and in the future?
Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft Class
Draft picks
- Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (No. 29 overall)
- Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland (No. 56)
- Kansas State OG Cooper Beebe (No. 73)
- Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau (No. 87)
- Wake Forest DB Caelen Carson (No. 174)
- Southeast Missouri WR Ryan Flournoy (No. 216)
- Louisiana OT Nathan Thomas (No. 233)
- Auburn DT Justin Rogers (No. 244)
The Dallas Cowboys made a lot of savvy moves in the NFL Draft. In their four top-100 picks, they got two quality offensive linemen and two quality defensive players. None of these will jump off the page but the Cowboys have built good teams on the foundation of boring picks.
Best Pick Of The Class: DE Marshawn Kneeland
This is a great pick for the Dallas Cowboys. I loved Kneeland coming out of Western Michigan and he lands in the perfect spot. Teams have to focus on Micah Parsons, and up until this point, the team hasn’t had an impact player on the other side. Kneeland is explosive and has a variety of pass-rush moves. He could find himself in many one-on-one situations this season.
The Dallas Cowboys have to be able to put pressure on the quarterback. The theme in all of their devastating losses has been an inability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Teams eliminate Parsons, and then there is nothing left. Kneeland is a perfect fit for the team.
Most Questionable Pick In The Draft: Lack Of Running Back
I’m going to spoil my grade in this section. I don’t think the Dallas Cowboys made a bad pick. I also am never going to get upset at a team for players taken in the fifth, sixth, or seventh round. (Unless it’s a punter or a kicker. Then I’m calling you out). However, this team has a massive hole at the running back position.
The return of Ezekiel Elliott is a good story, and no doubt he will add some value to the team. However, this is a team that has leaned on the running game for the last decade. Elliott and Deuce Vaughn are not the backfield you want to go into 2024 with.
Most Interesting Pick: DB Caelen Carson
The Dallas Cowboys always seem to find good value in the secondary. Carson is a versatile player who could play either cornerback or safety. Getting him in the fifth round is excellent value, and he fits perfectly with Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs. Don’t be surprised if Carson is a major contributor to Mike Zimmer’s defense this year.
I love the Dallas Cowboys draft. They traded down in the first round and still got a high-quality left tackle. In the third round, they got a quality interior lineman in Cooper Beebe. Throughout the draft, they got great value and filled areas of need. While the free agency strategy may have been off, their draft strategy was on point.
Dallas Cowboys Draft Grade: A+
