Blogging The Boys
How would you grade the Dallas Cowboys Day 2 draft haul?
After watching the Dallas Cowboys work the phones and end up trading the 24th overall pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for their 29th overall pick in the first round as well as the 73rd pick in the third round, Jerry Jones and Company sat tight to make their picks on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
By staying put, the Dallas Cowboys ended up drafting a defensive end with starting potential to add much-needed depth to the position, and a potential plug-and-play center to replace Tyler Biadasz. With their final pick on Day 2 they again addressed depth concerns at linebacker in a player who could become a special teams ace as well.
Overall, it looks as if Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft was a successful one for the Dallas Cowboys, but what kind of draft grade should they receive?
Despite some talented players sliding within striking range in the second round, the Dallas Cowboys decided to sit tight and let things play out in front of them. In so doing, they waited their turn and selected Marshawn Kneeland to add much-needed depth at defensive end after watching both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler exit via free agency.
With DeMarcus Lawrence entering a contract year in 2024, Kneeland's selection could be just as much about the future as it is the present. As a rookie he should provide much-needed depth at DE and potentially take over as a starter in Year 2 if for whatever reason Lawrence is not brought back.
Given the fact he probably won't start as a rookie and there were other positions of higher priority Dallas could have targeted, it's hard to give them a better draft grade than a B-. However, this is still a really solid selection. After all, he was Dane Brugler's 32nd overall player this year and gave him a first-second round grade.
Dane Brugler on Marshawn Kneeland:
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.
The first-round trade the Dallas Cowboys completed with the Detroit Lions yesterday has now netted them two starting caliber offensive linemen to help rebuild and upgrade their front five. First it was Tyler Guyton, and now Cooper Beebe with the 73rd overall pick in the third-round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cooper Beebe started a total of 48 out of a possible 51 games during his time at Kansas State, starting 26 at left guard, 13 at left tackle, and nine at right tackle. It is believed...
