It’s been just about a year since the Dallas Cowboys made their selections in the 2024 NFL draft.
How has NFL life gone for the eight rookies since last April? Well, that’s kind of a mixed bag.
Below you’ll find a review of the Cowboys’ 2024 selections, including the hits, the misses, and a look at where each draft pick is today.
| Round | Player | Pos. | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Guyton | OT | 29 |
| 2 | Marshawn Kneeland | DE | 56 |
| 3 | Cooper Beebe | C | 73 |
| 3 | Marist Liufau | LB | 87 |
| 5 | Caelen Carson | CB | 174 |
| 6 | Ryan Flournoy | WR | 216 |
| 7 | Nathan Thomas | OT | 233 |
| 7 | Justin Rogers | DT | 244 |
Where are they now?
OT Tyler Guyton
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract, with a team option for 2028
Maybe the Cowboys have been spoiled by recent first-round offensive line picks. Understandable, as they had two that retired this offseason that will be in the Ring of Honor someday soon.
But they’re not all instant successes like Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, or even 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith. Guyton struggled with injuries, penalties and general inconsistency during his rookie season, along with questions about whether he was ready to play full-time left tackle. Guyton was graded as the 116th-best tackle out of 141 qualifying in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
He could be looking at a switch to the right side for his sophomore season in the league.
DE Marshawn Kneeland
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Dallas entered the 2024 season already thin at defensive end due to the injury to Sam Williams. Kneeland got a shot to fill in, until he, too, had to miss a big chunk of the season due to injury. Kneeland suffered a knee injury and was out for the better part of two months.
In 11 games, Kneeland totaled 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and no sacks. He also forced a fumble.
C Cooper Beebe
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Beebe was arguably the Cowboys’ more successful rookie lineman in 2024, though at a less premium position.
Beebe was impressive though as a plug-and-play center, starting 16 games for Dallas in his first year.
The Kansas State product took big steps on the field, and off it: Beebe announced an engagement in February.
LB Marist Liufau
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Another rookie who got a big opportunity thanks to injuries on the defense. And Liufau took advantage.
The Hawaiian native had a solid rookie season, playing a third of the team’s defensive snaps and impressing former Cowboys coaches Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer.
Finishing with 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, he could compete for the Cowboys’ starting middle linebacker job in 2025.
CB Caelen Carson
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Another rookie who got a big opportunity thanks to injuries on the defense. Boy, that was a banged-up defense.
Carson was pressed into duty after multiple injuries to Dallas defensive backs, the fifth-round rookie even starting five games. He could compete for the slot corner gig in 2025.
WR Ryan Flournoy
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Flournoy has the blessing of the owner, with Jerry Jones saying Flournoy has “Dez Bryant stuff to him” in October.
The 25-year-old had an otherwise quiet rookie season, though, catching 10 passes for 102 yards in 11 games.
OT Nathan Thomas
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
Thomas was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury in August of 2024 and missed the entire season. He could serve as O-line depth in 2025.
Justin Rogers
2025 team: Cowboys, in the second year of his four-year rookie contract
The Cowboys played a little hot potato with Rogers, drafting him in the seventh round then cutting him during camp. He was signed to the Bengals’ practice squad shortly after, then in December returned to Dallas when the Cowboys signed him to their active roster.
After all that, Rogers never wound up taking the field in 2024.
Hits
It’s very early, but this class looks like it could be in the ilk of the Cowboys’ 2022 draft — not much top-tier talent, but a class you could end up getting 4-5 starters out of.
For now, Beebe and Liufau look like early hits, and both are likely starters for Dallas in 2025.
Misses
How Guyton’s time in Dallas goes will ultimately determine how successful this draft class is perceived. His rookie season was a miss. He’s got plenty of time to improve.
Grade: B
It’s hard to dish out a grade after just a year. This class shows some potential, but it also has its share of red flags.
Other draft class reviews
2020: First-rounder was slam dunk then, is slam dunk now
2021: Micah Parsons the crown jewel of reworked defensive line
2022: Dallas finds sneaky-good trio in underrated class
2023: Dallas is still making up for early-round whiffs
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
