The Athletic has live coverage of NFL Draft Rounds 4-7. Follow along with our picks tracker, best available and The Beast.
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 with seven picks over the three-day draft.
Dallas used the first of its four picks Saturday on Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson with the 174th pick in the fifth round and took Southeast Missouri State WR Ryan Flournoy in the sixth round.
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The Cowboys added edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland with the 56th overall pick in Round 2 on Friday night. Kneeland was ranked as the 32nd-best prospect in Dane Brugler’s final top-300 prospect big board.
They added another pick before making their first-round pick Thursday when they traded down to No. 29 with the Detroit Lions and took offensive tackle Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma. The Cowboys also received the Lions’ third-round pick (No. 73) while giving Detroit a seventh-rounder in 2025.
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, picks and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Draft pick grades: Round 1 | Rounds 2-3
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Cowboys pick.
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Round 1
No. 29: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
How he fits
Guyton’s fit is obvious, as he’ll be expected to replace Tyron Smith as the team’s starting left tackle. If everything progress as the Cowboys hope, the left side of the offensive line is now solidified, with Tyler Smith at left guard and Guyton at tackle. There will be a transition for Guyton, as he primarily played right tackle in college, but the Cowboys are willing to work with the switch to the other side. It’s a move they made over a decade ago, when they drafted Tyron Smith, a right tackle out of USC. — Saad Yousuf
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Guyton was the starting right tackle in former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s inside-zone, gap-focused scheme. A basketball-focused athlete much of his life, he moved to the offensive line while at TCU and later developed into a starter for the Sooners, protecting Dillon Gabriel’s blindside at right tackle.
A nimble big man, Guyton stays square to pass rushers with balanced lateral steps to easily redirect, and he does a great job working into open space with remarkable range (NFL scout: “The OU coaches just marvel at him. They call him different than everyone else they’ve had.”). He stays controlled with his punch to be a sticky blocker, although his accuracy and fit entry are underdeveloped, and his overall timing is not yet a strength to his game.
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Overall, Guyton is a work in progress in several areas and a steep learning curve should be expected for his rookie season, but he has the athletic tools and fundamental skills to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. He has the talent to play left or right tackle, although his comfort level is clearly on the right side. As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he will continue on an upward trajectory.
🤠@Invisalign | #WinningSmiles pic.twitter.com/95L5tvTERJ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 26, 2024
Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf’s analysis
How the Cowboys landed their next left tackle in Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton
Dallas Cowboys draft Tyler Guyton: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Scott Dochterman’s grade: B
Round 1 grades for all 32 picks
Round 2
No. 56: Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
How he fits
The Cowboys are an ideal situation for Kneeland. In the short term, the Western Michigan product will have an opportunity to carve out a role in the defensive line rotation, especially with the offseason departures of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. However, if Kneeland needs more time to make the adjustment to the NFL, which is fair to expect, he’ll have that as a rookie thanks to the depth the Cowboys have in front of him in guys like Sam Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence. In the long term, Kneeland could find his place opposite Micah Parsons if the Cowboys choose to say goodbye to Lawrence after his contract expires following this season. — Saad Yousuf
Dane Brugler analysis
A three-year starter, Kneeland was an edge rusher in defensive coordinator Lou Esposito’s four-man attack. Lowly recruited (No. 3,427 overall in the 2019 class), he improved each season in college and had arguably the best single tape of any pass rusher in 2023 with what he did against Eastern Michigan.
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When shopping for pass rushers, give me the guys who hate to be blocked. Kneeland certainly qualifies, as he uses his long arms and bully hands to get loose. Though he lacks the rush savvy that leads to high-end production, he is explosive in his movements with the power to push the pocket or plant ball carriers.
Overall, Kneeland is still taking classes in the art of the pass rush, but he is charged up into contact and displays twitch throughout his frame, which allows him to defeat blockers in different ways. He projects as a starting base end whose best football is yet to come.
Looking for something good to watch? We have a rec ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/l2gMoHdqKK
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 27, 2024
Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf’s analysis
Dallas Cowboys draft Marshawn Kneeland: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Nick Baumgardner’s grade: A
Grades for all Round 2 and 3 picks
Round 3
No. 73: Cooper Beebe, guard, Kansas State
How he fits
He will compete for the starting job at center. He could also be a future replacement at right guard, depending on how much longer All-Pro right guard Zack Martin wants to play. … His most natural position is probably guard. But with Martin and second-team All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith already on the roster, center makes the most sense for Beebe in Year 1. He worked at center in practices at Kansas State and during the pre-draft process. — Jon Machota
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A four-year starter at Kansas State, Beebe was primarily a left guard in former offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s multiple run-scheme, but he also started at both tackle spots. One of his goals was to become the first offensive lineman to make KSU’s Ring of Honor, and that honor should be in his future after he became the first offensive lineman in school history named a consensus All-American.
In pass protection, Beebe’s recovery skills are lacking, but he has the disciplined eyes expected of a veteran and displays measured steps and strong hands to keep rushers occupied (allowed only one sack over his final 41 games played in college). Despite some excessive leaning in the run game, the Kansas State offense consistently found success running be hind him.
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Overall, Beebe doesn’t have ideal arm length that most teams desire, but he is stout, controlled and plays with power at contact. He will fit both gap and zone schemes in the NFL and projects as a high-floor starting guard.
Scott Dochterman’s grade: A+
Grades for all Round 2 and 3 picks
No. 87: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Liufau played Will linebacker in head coach Marcus Freeman’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After a broken ankle sidelined him for the 2021 season, he ripped off 25 straight starts to finish his Irish career and was often the most energetic player on the field. With his closing burst and physicality, Liufau plays through contact well and punches above his weight class when working downhill. His explosive energy helps him cover a lot of ground in a hurry, although he needs to play with better anticipation and control to be a playmaker in coverage and as a tackler.
Overall, Liufau has intriguing traits with his length, burst and violence, but he must improve his play instincts to balance out his relentless play style. He should shine as a “core four” special teamer in the NFL while he gets coached up for a chance at meaningful defensive snaps (similar to the Las Vegas Raiders’ Divine Deablo).
Scott Dochterman’s grade: C+
Grades for all Round 2 and 3 picks
Round 5
No. 174: Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
How he fits
Cornerback was a need for the Cowboys with Stephon Gilmore a free agent. Top of their depth chart is currently Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis. “Gritty player. Somebody that is gonna do whatever for the team, play special teams, play nickel, play outside, so you got versatility. And just a competitive dude. I’m competitive by nature,” Carson said after being drafted. … The last time Dallas used a fifth-round pick on a CB: Bland (167 overall) in 2022
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A four-year starter at Wake Forest, Carson was a perimeter cornerback in defensive coordinator Brad Lambert’s multiple-coverage scheme (often shadowed the opponent’s top receiver). Although injuries kept him off the field at times, he was productive from the moment he stepped foot on campus and accounted for 29 passes defended over his 36 games played.
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Well-schooled in different types of coverage, Carson is a versatile, heady athlete with the spatial awareness and loose movements to make abrupt mid-route adjustments and stay in phase with receivers. His risk-taking was inconsistent on film, and he needs to do a better job taking the football away when the quarterback makes mistakes (his last interception came September 2021).
Overall, Carson needs to prove he can stay healthy and be on the field for a full season, but he has the competitive athleticism and football IQ needed for coverage duties in the NFL. He offers inside-outside versatility and projects as an eventual NFL starter.
Round 6
No. 216: Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State
How he fits
The Cowboys add to their wide receiver depth, selecting Southeast Missouri State WR Ryan Flournoy. Lamb and Cooks are the face of the position, Jalen Tolbert is in line to be the No. 3 following Michael Gallup’s departure. KaVontae Turpin in there as well. Flournoy will have plenty of competition. He caught 57 passes for 839 yards (14.7 ypc) and six interceptions last season. — Saad Yousuf
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A two-year starter at Southeast Missouri State, Flournoy worked primarily outside in offensive coordinator Jeromy McDowell’s scheme. After two years in Division II and another two years in juco, he led the Redhawks in receiving each of the last two seasons and put his name on the NFL radar (just the third player in Southeast Missouri State history invited to the NFL combine).
A member of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” Flournoy is a terrific height-weight-speed athlete and received the nickname “Super” in college for his feats in the weight room and on the field. He struggles to set up breaks, however, and will often lead coverage to his destination. He excelled against inferior competition, but he also held his own against two FBS opponents (combined 13 catches for 152 yards vs. Kansas State and Iowa State).
Overall, Flournoy is more athletic than skilled as a route runner, and cornerbacks stick to him at the break point, but he has large, accepting hands with balance and body control before, during and after the catch. He projects as an NFL rotational receiver who can earn playing time with further development.
Ryan reelin' em in 🏈🙌#CowboysDraft | @RyanNumba9 pic.twitter.com/4YemlWabLV
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 27, 2024
Round 7
No. 233: Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A two-year starter at Louisiana, Thomas lined up at left tackle in offensive coordinator Tim Leger’s zone-heavy run scheme. A blocking tight end in high school, he transitioned to offensive tackle for the Ragin’ Cajuns and started the past two seasons at left tackle, including a standout senior year that boosted his draft grade.
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Although his feet tend to get loud in pass protection, Thomas moves well laterally and has the body quickness to reach and cut off defenders. Despite several undisciplined habits that need to be addressed, he strikes with a mauling attitude and appears to genuinely enjoy the physicality of the position.
Overall, Thomas has sloppy tendencies and needs to stay off the ground, but he is a smooth mover with strong mitts that help him batter and sustain (when they are well placed). His raw power might be accentuated best at guard in the NFL.
No. 244: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Rogers was born and raised in Detroit and started playing football in sixth grade in the Detroit Police Athletic League. Two years later, he received his first scholarship offer (Kentucky) as an eighth-grader. He was a four-year starter at Oak Park High and the top-ranked recruit in Michigan. He committed to Kentucky over Alabama and Georgia and played three seasons before transferring to Auburn for his senior year in 2023.
There isn’t much mystery with Rogers, who has cement cleats, but blockers have a tough time moving him once he drops his weight and puts down roots (he plays heavy, which is both a good and bad thing). In the run game, he lacks range, but can push/reorganize bodies up front, creating opportunities for his teammates. Overall, Rogers is a short-area player with marginal length and pass-rush value, but he has the stoutness to be part of a rotation as an early down run stopper.
(Photo of Tyler Guyton: USA Today)