Here’s where Cowboys’ Day 2 selections will fit in depth chart

Where the Day 2 picks for the Dallas Cowboys could fit in the depth chart for the 2024 season. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys began the draft with three top 100 picks, but a trade back from pick No. 24 to pick No. 29 added an early third-round selection to their haul. Most saw Dallas’s top needs heading into Day 2 as running back, linebacker, and defensive tackle, but instead the Cowboys took a powerful edge prospect from Western Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland.

Kneeland has a clear spot on the depth chart vacated by Dorance Armstrong’s signing with the Washington Commanders. Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence are the team’s top-edge rushers; Sam Williams is a rotational piece that the team needs to step up. Kneeland lands right there in a battle with Williams for snaps.

He projets to be similar to Lawrence as a plus run stopper and then uses power and a relentless motor to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He might also slide inside on pass-rush downs to add an extra pass-rush element to the defensive line. Kneeland can also play a role opposite Lawrence if Parsons plays more snaps at off-ball linebacker. If Parsons starts as a linebacker, Kneeland’s ability to set an edge could make him the starter over Sam Williams.

Dallas got their best value at pick No. 73 with Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe. Beebe was very flexible in college, playing offensive tackle and offensive guard, but his shorter arms and lack of athleticism in the NFL will keep him as an interior-only option for Dallas. They already are set with two All-Pro offensive guards, making Beebe battle inside at center.

He was a second-round player on plenty of boards and is likely to outperform both T.J. Bass or Brock Hoffman for the center position. If something doesn’t go as planned and Smith has to move outside, Beebe could start at LG without an issue. If this year he plays as a back then his role could end up being Zack Martin’s replacement.

Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau was the Cowboy’s final draft pick of Day 2 at No. 87, and his position on the depth chart could fluctuate depending on the performance of other linebackers and safety options.

The easiest spot would be at linebacker if one of the starters were performing poorly, whether it is a falloff by Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown not being able to play well coming back from injury, or Damone Clark continuing to struggle to start his career. If any of those things occur, Liufau could move in to play any of their roles. He also can play the Jayron Kearse role if Mike Zimmer wants to keep that role in his defense, as Liufau has the athleticism to play in coverage with tight ends and has zero issues getting into a gap to bring down a ball carrier.

He has an excellent mix of instincts, ability to blitz, and cover, and he will hit the opposing team hard as much as possible, so he has all the flexibility a team could ask for. To begin with, he will definitely have a role on the special teams unit.

Lights, Camera: Best action shots of Cowboys Round 2, Round 3 selections

Select photos from the Cowboys’ Day 2 selections.

The Dallas Cowboys had three picks on Friday, selecting once in the second round and twice in the third. They walked away with a defensive end, center and linebacker, mixing in immediate need filling with players who may be better served getting a bit of experience before being asked to take on crucial roles.

Marshawn Kneeland from Western Michigan will learn behind DeMarcus Lawrence while Marist Tiufau is set to study behind Eric Kendricks at linebacker. Meanwhile, Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe may be thrust into a starting center role as soon as he touches down in Dallas. Take a look at some photos from the college careers of the newest Cowboys.

Cowboys draft Kansas State IOL Cooper Beebe at No. 73

Dallas returned to the OL well and have created a ton of depth in their first three picks. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys continued their assault on their depleted offensive line on Day 2 of the NFL draft. After taking Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton in the first round following a trade down, the club used the extra pick acquired in the trade back to go back to the well.

Dallas sent the No. 24 pick to Detroit for No. 29 and No. 73, and with the 73rd pick in the first half of the third round, they selected Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe. The Cowboys have now created a ton of competition along the offensive line after losing Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz to free agency.

As of now, the Cowboys’ best two linemen are guards Tyler Smith and Zack Martin. Beebe could play left guard while Smith kicks out to left tackle, or he could be the starting center depending on how well Brock Hoffman and TJ Bass compete.

2024 NFL mock draft: Day 2 projections for the Ravens

Day One of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, and it was a historic night. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, and 23 offensive players were selected, the most ever. Baltimore was able to land one of the top cornerbacks on the …

Day One of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, and it was a historic night. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, and 23 offensive players were selected, the most ever.

Baltimore was able to land one of the top cornerbacks on the board without trading up. The Ravens still have eight picks, including two on Day 2, with a pick in Round 2 and another selection in Round three.

With the second and third rounds quickly approaching, here’s an updated Day 2 prediction for Baltimore.

Baltimore has picks No. 62 (Rd 2) and 93 (Rd 3) on Friday night.

After adding a cornerback to the roster in the first round, Baltimore still needs to add an offensive tackle, offensive guard, edge rusher and another running back.

2024 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks, wide receivers dominate first five picks

Mock draft season is in full swing, and with Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated first round mock for all 32 NFL teams.

The 2024 salary cap is set at $255.4 million.

The Ravens will look drastically different on both sides of the football field after undergoing massive changes in player personnel and the coaching staff.

Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore landed Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million.

However, the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move.

With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re reviewing an updated first-round mock draft.

2024 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks, wide receivers dominate first five picks

Mock draft season is in full swing, and with Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated two round mock for all 32 NFL teams.

With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.

Philadelphia has needs, but after a solid start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 22) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.

Mock draft season is in full swing, and with Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated two-round mock for all 32 NFL teams.

2024 Eagles mock draft roundup: Philadelphia reloads at cornerback position

With Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated mock draft roundup for Philadelphia at pick No. 22.

With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.

Philadelphia has needs, but after a strong start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 22) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.

Mock draft season is in full swing, and most draft experts and pundits believe the Eagles will reshape the secondary by targeting a cornerback.

With Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated mock draft roundup for Philadelphia at pick No. 22.

2024 Ravens mock draft roundup: Baltimore reloads at offensive tackle

We’re looking at the updated mock draft roundup for Baltimore as the Ravens rebuild the offensive line

With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.

Baltimore has needs, but after a solid start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 30) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.

Mock draft season is in full swing, and most draft experts and pundits believe the Ravens are set for a rebuild in the trenches.

With the Top 30 visits increasing, we’re looking for updated options for Baltimore at pick No. 30.

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The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 58, Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

If the Green Bay Packers were to play a game tomorrow, they’d roll out Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center and Sean Rhyan at right guard. A solid interior offensive line. It’s the depth behind those three that leaves a lot to be desired.

With the Packers being owners of 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s a safe bet that Brian Gutekunst will add an interior offensive lineman or two to fortify the offensive line.

A player that Gutekunst could target in the upcoming draft is Cooper Beebe. The Kansas State offensive lineman checks in at No. 58 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Beebe finished his career at Kansas State with 48 starts under his belt. He started 28 games at left guard, 13 at left tackle and seven at right tackle.

“Cooper Beebe meant everything to Kansas State in his five years,” Drew Galloway, the Kansas State reporter for On3.com, said. “He was someone that didn’t have a lot of hype as a high school recruit and was originally going to play defensive tackle until Chris Klieman and his staff were hired. As soon as he stepped on campus though he was someone mentioned in every press conference as a young player with a lot of promise. He ended up being a multiple-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year winner and a consensus all-American.”

Aside from center, Beebe took snaps at every position across the offensive line during his time as a Wildcat. With shorter arms he’s probably strictly a guard at the next level, however, his starting experience at both tackle positions, leads one to believe that he could kick outside in a pinch. That four-position versatility makes him an attractive target. 

“He may be one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL Draft this year,” Galloway said. “He’s played every position besides center for Kansas State and has started at four of the five offensive line spots.”

Beebe gets after it as a run blocker. He’s a power-packed offensive lineman that overwhelms defenders at the point of contact. The versatile offensive lineman has good short-area quickness and locks in on his targets like a Predator when he’s out in space. He plays under the pads of defenders to drive them downfield and create movement in the run game. 

“His greatest strength is being a mauler,” Galloway said. “He’s a physical dude and a people mover. He’s everything you want in a guard and is so solid in every facet of the game. He’s great at pulling and gets out in space well at his size.”

The 48-game starter has active, physical hand and stays patient in pass protection. He has quick feet to beat pass rushers to the spot. Beebe has a strong core and can anchor down against bull rushers. Over the past three seasons, Beebe has given up two sacks and 28 pressures. 

“Beebe is also a really good pass blocker,” Galloway said. “He was trusted as a sophomore to play left tackle and start every game there. He has good feet and a really good base. He only allowed 1 sack in his first three seasons according to PFF.” 

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to add right guard competition. If they were to draft Beebe on Day 2 of the draft, it would be a safe bet that he’d beat out Rhyan for the starting right guard spot. He’s a plug-and-play caliber player who could help take Green Bay’s offensive line from good to great. 

“I would draft Cooper Beebe because there aren’t many people who work harder than he does,” Galloway said. “He’s put on a lot of muscle even from the end of the season to now. He’s also a great leader and does a good job of leading by example. Beebe is also someone that I think is going to have a great NFL career and could play 8-10 years and be a multiple-time Pro Bowl kind of player.”

Beebe checks the boxes with his versatility, experience, football IQ and toughness. Even if he doesn’t earn a starting role as a rookie, he’d provide quality depth at guard and tackle. The more likely scenario is that the Kansas State product would take over at right guard and help improve Green Bay’s rushing attack.