Sandyf
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So the 2024 NFL draft is done and there will be grades handed out by the media and fans, and seriously none of them are worth a plug nickel. No one truly knows how these guys drafted will do and in 3 years we probably can grade the draft for those players still around. Like a lot of fans, I'll give my opinions and the why on the state of the Cowboys currently. Things will change not only this week but certainly over the next 4 months.
To the draft, I believe I saw the Jimmy Johnson factor hit home, you know build the trenches and the rest will follow. Will McClay had his hands full in finding the type of OL that fit the Jimmy mode, tough, smart, go to war guys as well as finding guys that fit Zimmer's defensive scheme. Like it or not, there were guys that I liked and many fans did on defensive but they most likely didn't fit for Zimmer. So here goes on my take of each draft pick
29. Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma - he will be the LT and wouldn't be surprised if it is from first day of training camp. Yes I know he was the RT at Oklahoma but the reason he was is that Oklahoma had a left handed QB and it was Guyton job to protect the blindside. He has played LT before but the truth of the matter is that he protects the blindside of the QB. Will he be Tyron Smith, who he says he models his game on, or will he be a bust. He is the most athletic OT in the draft with very good feet and long arms so my bet is he will be just fine at LT.
It also keeps Tyler Smith at LG where he is and will be a main stay for years. Funny how fans have been calling to get rid of Tyron Smith for years and now think we should have kept him at least another year. Guyton hasn't missed games whereas Smith has missed how many games over the last 5 years? Answer is far to many. The left side is in good hands.
56. Marshawn Kneeland EDGE Western Michigan - prototypical EDGE that Zimmer likes and requires in 4-3 and 3-4 alignment. He is not a one trick pony. Look at Hunter coming out of college and what they said about him when Minnesota drafted him and Zimmer got him. If he can become anywhere close to Hunter then we just super improved the defensive line. I suspect he initially rotates with Williams or Lawrence along with Feheko.
Kneeland has a love for the game and a mean streak on getting to the QB and/or RB. Has strong hands and legs that keep driving forward. Also chases down well with play to the opposite side. We will see him line up next to Lawrence on the left side and Parsons on the right side in 5 man fronts in pass rush situations. Should really help keep teams honest on draws and third down sweeps in obviously passing downs.
73. Cooper Beebe OG/OC Kansas St. - like it or not this is truly the Travis Frederick replacement. Not only is he strong, aggressive, very smart but he can play any position on the OL. He didn't play center in a game but according to his coaches, he served as center in most practices over the last two years to the tune of 100 snaps a week. The math says he has over 2000 snaps playing center. He will compete with Hoffman but this kid is stronger, smarter and tougher than anyone on the OL with the exception of Martin. With Beebe at OC, Dak shouldn't have to worry about pressure up the middle and whoever is out RB will have a hole to run through.
87. Marist Liafua LB Notre Dame - definitely a Zimmer pick, he is exactly what Zimmer expects from his ILB, downhill guy, diagnose the play and stop the RB from getting started. Should learn a lot from Eric Kendricks and eventually start. He shores up the middle to stop the run but can make plays from the edge also. If the LB corp stays healthy, then probably best the LB have been in years.
174. Caelen Carson CB Wake Forest - can play man or zone, good CB that is not handsy. has the smarts to play in the Zimmer scheme where you constantly move. See him eventually replacing Lewis in the slot.
213. Ryan Flournoy WR SE Missouri - this screams ST choice because of the new kickoff rules. Strong, big WR with great speed. Probably the fastest guy on our roster and will challenge for the 4th WR spot. Think the kid for the Rams as he has the same type body type and speed.
233. Nathan Thomas OT/OG Louisiana - yes a development guy but can see he and Bass fighting it out over Martin's spot when he retires next year. Actually feel pretty good if Martin got hurt and Bass or Thomas had to take over at RG.
244. Justin Rodgers NT Auburn - massive individual and will see playing time on obvious run plays. Yes, he is a 7th round choice that no one is giving a chance yet there was another guy from Auburn we took in the 7th round by the name of Jay Ratliff and if he turn out half as good then we have a player. No one believed Ratliff would make the team but Zimmer who was the DC did, so I'll believe in Zimmer on this pick.
UDFA guys have been signed with one (only one) RB. Will any of them be more than camp fodder or make the practice squad is really the question. Surprised not to see a QB and more surprised to see three safeties.
In the coming days, weeks, months until the season starts we will see others added, cuts, trades and extensions signed.
I believe they will sign Dak to a four or five year extension and around the 56 million a year mark. CeeDee is going to be probably a 4 year extension around 33 million a year and Parsons possibly around the 35 million a year mark.
Many, as myself, wonder about the run game but it is looking that we will sign Zeke to a one year deal as well as Dalvin Cook or JK Dobbins or Latavius Murry for one year. Could the UDFA Nathan Peat be in the mix, maybe but probably a PS guy. Next year's RB class appears to be much stronger than this year's crop but have to wait and see.
We will see a few trades coming down for veterans most likely at either CB or RB or LB with teams anxious just to get a 3rd day choice instead of nothing for a guy.
Once training camp begins we will see if the naysayers are right about no chance at a playoff spot or that we finally got guys to stop the run as well as open up holes for whoever is the RB. I'm sure the debates will continue but until we actually see these guys on the field, we really don't know anything.
To the draft, I believe I saw the Jimmy Johnson factor hit home, you know build the trenches and the rest will follow. Will McClay had his hands full in finding the type of OL that fit the Jimmy mode, tough, smart, go to war guys as well as finding guys that fit Zimmer's defensive scheme. Like it or not, there were guys that I liked and many fans did on defensive but they most likely didn't fit for Zimmer. So here goes on my take of each draft pick
29. Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma - he will be the LT and wouldn't be surprised if it is from first day of training camp. Yes I know he was the RT at Oklahoma but the reason he was is that Oklahoma had a left handed QB and it was Guyton job to protect the blindside. He has played LT before but the truth of the matter is that he protects the blindside of the QB. Will he be Tyron Smith, who he says he models his game on, or will he be a bust. He is the most athletic OT in the draft with very good feet and long arms so my bet is he will be just fine at LT.
It also keeps Tyler Smith at LG where he is and will be a main stay for years. Funny how fans have been calling to get rid of Tyron Smith for years and now think we should have kept him at least another year. Guyton hasn't missed games whereas Smith has missed how many games over the last 5 years? Answer is far to many. The left side is in good hands.
56. Marshawn Kneeland EDGE Western Michigan - prototypical EDGE that Zimmer likes and requires in 4-3 and 3-4 alignment. He is not a one trick pony. Look at Hunter coming out of college and what they said about him when Minnesota drafted him and Zimmer got him. If he can become anywhere close to Hunter then we just super improved the defensive line. I suspect he initially rotates with Williams or Lawrence along with Feheko.
Kneeland has a love for the game and a mean streak on getting to the QB and/or RB. Has strong hands and legs that keep driving forward. Also chases down well with play to the opposite side. We will see him line up next to Lawrence on the left side and Parsons on the right side in 5 man fronts in pass rush situations. Should really help keep teams honest on draws and third down sweeps in obviously passing downs.
73. Cooper Beebe OG/OC Kansas St. - like it or not this is truly the Travis Frederick replacement. Not only is he strong, aggressive, very smart but he can play any position on the OL. He didn't play center in a game but according to his coaches, he served as center in most practices over the last two years to the tune of 100 snaps a week. The math says he has over 2000 snaps playing center. He will compete with Hoffman but this kid is stronger, smarter and tougher than anyone on the OL with the exception of Martin. With Beebe at OC, Dak shouldn't have to worry about pressure up the middle and whoever is out RB will have a hole to run through.
87. Marist Liafua LB Notre Dame - definitely a Zimmer pick, he is exactly what Zimmer expects from his ILB, downhill guy, diagnose the play and stop the RB from getting started. Should learn a lot from Eric Kendricks and eventually start. He shores up the middle to stop the run but can make plays from the edge also. If the LB corp stays healthy, then probably best the LB have been in years.
174. Caelen Carson CB Wake Forest - can play man or zone, good CB that is not handsy. has the smarts to play in the Zimmer scheme where you constantly move. See him eventually replacing Lewis in the slot.
213. Ryan Flournoy WR SE Missouri - this screams ST choice because of the new kickoff rules. Strong, big WR with great speed. Probably the fastest guy on our roster and will challenge for the 4th WR spot. Think the kid for the Rams as he has the same type body type and speed.
233. Nathan Thomas OT/OG Louisiana - yes a development guy but can see he and Bass fighting it out over Martin's spot when he retires next year. Actually feel pretty good if Martin got hurt and Bass or Thomas had to take over at RG.
244. Justin Rodgers NT Auburn - massive individual and will see playing time on obvious run plays. Yes, he is a 7th round choice that no one is giving a chance yet there was another guy from Auburn we took in the 7th round by the name of Jay Ratliff and if he turn out half as good then we have a player. No one believed Ratliff would make the team but Zimmer who was the DC did, so I'll believe in Zimmer on this pick.
UDFA guys have been signed with one (only one) RB. Will any of them be more than camp fodder or make the practice squad is really the question. Surprised not to see a QB and more surprised to see three safeties.
In the coming days, weeks, months until the season starts we will see others added, cuts, trades and extensions signed.
I believe they will sign Dak to a four or five year extension and around the 56 million a year mark. CeeDee is going to be probably a 4 year extension around 33 million a year and Parsons possibly around the 35 million a year mark.
Many, as myself, wonder about the run game but it is looking that we will sign Zeke to a one year deal as well as Dalvin Cook or JK Dobbins or Latavius Murry for one year. Could the UDFA Nathan Peat be in the mix, maybe but probably a PS guy. Next year's RB class appears to be much stronger than this year's crop but have to wait and see.
We will see a few trades coming down for veterans most likely at either CB or RB or LB with teams anxious just to get a 3rd day choice instead of nothing for a guy.
Once training camp begins we will see if the naysayers are right about no chance at a playoff spot or that we finally got guys to stop the run as well as open up holes for whoever is the RB. I'm sure the debates will continue but until we actually see these guys on the field, we really don't know anything.
