Tag: Marshawn Kneeland

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.

Dallas Cowboys select Western Michigan DL Marshawn Kneeland with the 56th overall pick. Grade: A+

Western Michigan DL Marshawn Kneeland gives the Dallas Cowboys all kinds of interesting possibilities along the defensive line.

For me, Marshawn Kneeland was one of the most fun players to watch in this class. I have a weakness for violent defensive linemen who can win from every gap, and Kneeland qualifies. I compared him to Za’Darius Smith as a big end who can also get it done everywhere from three-tech to nose shade, and Kneeland will give Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer all kinds of interesting possibilities. 

Marshawn Kneeland, who starred in football and track at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, took his game to Western Michigan and became a force for the Broncos’ defense in 2020, with four sacks and 13 total pressures on just 91 pass-rushing snaps. Through four seasons, Kneeland kept that high pass-rush rate up, and in 2023, he had a career-high six sacks and 37 total pressures. At 6′ 3″ and 267 pounds, Kneeland also put up 38 solo tackles and 35 stops in 2023, and he had a strong Senior Bowl week as an exclamation point to his good game tape.

Every defensive coordinator wants a guy who plays like his hair is on fire at all times, and Kneeland certainly qualifies. He’s a multi-gap disruptor with a ton of upside, and I’m betting that a lot of NFL evaluators will set aside any small-school biases when discussing his professional potential.

PLUSES

— Gap-shooting edge-rusher who can quickly work from outside the tackle to the center, and will move to the pocket quickly.

— Can win everywhere from an edge alignment to head-over nose tackle.

— Relentless disruptor who works from snap to whistle.

— Stacks and sheds quickly and powerfully; his 83⅜” wingspan (90th percentile for edge-rushers) allows him to establish dominance from the snap.

— Brings extra juice as an off-ball “spinner” who can time rushes and work to the quarterback in a hurry.

— Has a dynamite spin move to disengage from blockers who slow him down.

MINUSES

— Kneeland’s frenetic style will have him missing targets in the backfield at times.

— Could stand to have more of a plan with his hands to knife through double teams and penetrate through more adept opponents.

— Must keep his leverage together to avoid being blocked out too easily by tight ends and running backs.

— Prone to biting on action and misdirection in the backfield.

— Strength of opponent is a legitimate concern in a transitive sense, though the tape shows more than enough NFL potential.

Kneeland has a fabulous playing personality — if there’s a play anywhere near him, he’ll do everything he can to kill it with fire. There are a few points of precision to deal with when he gets to the NFL level, but he’s an ideal multi-gap disrupting prospect in the next phase of his career.

Cowboys draft Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland with No. 56 pick

Dallas attacks a sneaky need by grabbing the Western Michigan star to augment their defensive line rotation. Follow the money. From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys had to wait around for approximately two hours on Friday, but finally, No. 56 was on the clock. This round, the team chose to stay put instead of trading out, selecting Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

The Cowboys lost two of their rotational edge defenders in free agency, as both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler exited the team. Starting left defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is on the final year of his contract and the team needs rotational help behind he and Micah Parsons as starters, and alongside Sam Williams.

Kneeland, 6-foot-3, 267 pounds, is a highly athletic edge defender who was rated as a borderline first-round talent by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. He has some of the longest arms at the position in this draft.

Best remaining prospects for Detroit’s second-round pick

Best remaining prospects for Detroit’s second-round pick at No. 61 overall

The Detroit Lions are currently sitting at pick 61, near the end of the second round. They currently do not have a third round pick after trading it last night to move up and take Terrion Arnold.

This puts them in a tough situation for the second day of the draft. While there are still plenty of talented players available at the moment, many will not be there by the time the Lions are on the clock.

With that said, there are some prospects who the Lions could still target with pick 61.

OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia

Sep 17, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) during the first quarter against the Towson Tigers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Dubbed a “Dan Campbell guy” by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Zach Frazier should be at the top of Detroit’s list heading into day two.

With a wrestling background and above-average athleticism, Frazier would be a perfect fit for what the Lions are building on offense. While his services wouldn’t be needed immediately, he would provide quality depth in 2024 while being able to learn from veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow.

If Frazier is not there by the time the Lions pick, players like Cooper Beebe or Christian Haynes could also be quality options for Detroit.

WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) catches a ball in the endzone to score a touchdown against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

While he isn’t the speedster that most people want in a wide receiver, Coleman very much is the missing piece in Detroit’s offense.

Detroit has Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown penned as their top pass-catchers, and Coleman would be the perfect compliment to them. He’s a bigger framed player who makes up for his lack of speed with his physicality and ability to out-muscle opposing defenders.

At the end of the day, the Lions could always benefit from getting another weapon for Jared Goff. Receivers such as Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Roman Wilson are also options at 61.

EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (DL41) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no such thing as having too many talented edge defenders. While it may not seem like a glaring need, Detroit would greatly benefit from having more defensive ends that they can rotate in as needed.

Kneeland could be that guy for the Lions. Paired with the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, James Houston, John Cominsky, and Josh Paschal, Kneeland would be one more athletic option to aid in the pass rush.

He also has versatility going for him. With his frame, he would be able to slide inside and play some three-technique or be on the outside and blitz from a stand-up linebacker position.

If Kneeland is unavailable, other options at the edge include Alabama’s Chris Braswell or Washington’s Braden Trice.

NFL draft: Never rule out 49ers adding DL help

A draft analyst took the 49ers out of the running for one of the draft’s top edge rushers. We are going to go ahead and not do that based on everything we know about the 49ers.

Never underestimate the 49ers’ desire to bolster their defensive line. A handful of free agency moves that saw the club add a pair of defensive ends and a pair of defensive tackles might have pushed the defensive front down their perceived list of needs, but San Francisco’s front office isn’t above continuing to add there.

A recent report from draft analyst Tony Pauline indicated the 49ers would be out on Western Michigan pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland because the club signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency.

We’re going to go ahead and rebut the argument (from Pauline or anyone else) that the 49ers can be crossed off the list of teams that might be interested in Kneeland in the second round (or possibly late in the first round) of this year’s draft, because the 49ers can never have enough pass rush help.

When the club was in pursuit of then-Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack, general manager John Lynch said pass rush was as important to a defense as the quarterback is to an offense. The team has continued prioritizing their pass rush throughout Lynch’s tenure with head coach Kyle Shanahan. They drafted Nick Bosa No. 2 overall in 2019. They traded for DE Dee Ford that same offseason. In 2022 they used a second-round pick on USC DE Drake Jackson. Last year they spent a fifth-round choice on Georgia DE Robert Beal. All the while they’ve added low-risk, high-reward free agents at those spots as well.

Floyd and Gross-Matos should help a 49ers pass rush that sorely lacked in production last year, but history tells us a couple of veteran free agent additions won’t stop San Francisco from adding more depth, particularly if they believe that player can be a starter over the long-term. A player like Kneeland (or pick your favorite DE in this year’s class) wouldn’t have much competition for snaps right away since Gross-Matos figures to play inside some of the time and neither Jackson nor Beal are proven commodities at the NFL level.

It’s entirely conceivable the 49ers view DE as one of their top needs for this year and in the future. They might even use a first-round pick there depending on how the board shakes out. Of course, there are other positions San Francisco could spend its first couple selection on, but the defensive line is always a spot they’ll look to improve and ruling them out of the sweepstakes for one of the draft’s top edge rushers isn’t something we’re willing to do.

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Packers to host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on top-30 pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers will host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will host Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. During the pre-draft process, Kneeland will have taken 16 visits to teams.

Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.

Kneeland (6-3, 267) played in 38 games (23 starts) across four seasons at Western Michigan. He produced 28.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He was a second-team All-MAC pick and a team captain in 2023.

At the combine, Kneeland ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds, hit 35.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 9-11 in the broad jump, completed the short shuttle in 4.18 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.02 seconds and finished 21 reps on the bench press. He has 34 1/2″ arms and a 83 3/8″ wingspan. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.08 out of 10.0.

Kneeland participated at the Senior Bowl.

Kneeland is the No. 60 player on the consensus big board. The Packers hold four picks on Day 2 of the draft: No. 41, No. 58, No. 88 and No. 91.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 31, Western Michigan Edge Marshawn Kneeland

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland.

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.

Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagabare, Brenton Cox Jr. That’s a solid foundation of edge rushers that the Green Bay Packers have in place. 

Even with those pieces in place, a team can never have enough talented edge rushers. That’s why it would not be shocking to see Brian Gutekunst add another body to the mix during the 2024 NFL Draft.

A potential target on Day 2 of the upcoming draft is Marshawn Kneeland. The Western Michigan defensive end checks in at No. 31 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A Michigan native, Kneeland recorded two sacks during his first season on campus. The following season Kneeland recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. During the 2022 campaign, Kneeland recorded 10 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In his final season as a Bronco, Kneeland recorded 57 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. 

Along with being a standout on the gridiron at Godwin Heights High School, Kneeland competed in track and field. The Western Michigan product showcased his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine when he posted a 35.5-inch vertical, a 9-11 broad jump, a short shuttle of 4.18 and a 3-cone time of 7.02. 

“Marshawn Kneeland’s greatest strength is his pure athleticism at the defensive end position,” Steve Helwick, a contributor for SB Nation’s Hustle Belt, said. “He moves incredibly fast for his 6 ‘3”, 267-pound frame and possesses top-notch agility for the position in this draft class. Kneeland’s sack totals at Western Michigan may not jump out on the page, but he catapulted his draft stock by exhibiting one of the best combine performances in Indianapolis, earning elite grades in a multitude of events including vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, shuttle, and 3-cone drill. These types of athletes aren’t exactly a dime a dozen, and his combine performance showed why Kneeland could potentially land in the second round.”

Kneeland is the Energizer Bunny on steroids. He rushes the quarterback with non-stop energy. He has powerful, active hands that he utilizes to get into the chest plate of offensive linemen and drive them back with his power. To go along with his 4.5 sacks, Kneeland recorded 37 pressures this past season. 

“Kneeland offers an impressive mixture of speed and power as a pass rusher, showing an excellent ability to explode through blockers with his leg drive,” Helwick said. “Kneeland placed quarterbacks under duress quite often at Western Michigan last fall but didn’t always finish the job. Possessing a lower sack total than other defensive ends in the conference landed him on the All-MAC Second Team as opposed to the First Team, but he has all the tools available to improve his pass-rushing at the next level. Using his power to follow through and finish tackles, as well as enhancing his technique can make him an all-around lethal defensive end upon reaching the NFL. Considering all the pressures he generated in Kalamazoo, his potential to thrive as a pass rusher is clear.”

Kneeland is powerful at the point of attack and stays balanced. He sets a firm edge and holds his ground. He does a good job of using his long arms to keep himself clean and forklift offensive linemen out of the way. Over the past two seasons, Kneeland recorded 17.5 tackles for loss and 59 run stops (PFF). 

“Containing the run is Kneeland’s calling card on the field,” Helwick said. “Kneeland knows how to set the edge very well, and with his top-tier speed for a defensive end, he can keep pace with running backs directed toward the boundary. He’s never really out of a play, showing tremendous ability to recover from a good block or being out of position. The combination of speed and power makes him a stellar tackler against a wide range of running back archetypes, and he demonstrated that facet of his game with 57 tackles last season and 26 tackles for loss across his last three years at Western Michigan.”

Fit with the Packers

The 2024 season could be Smith’s swan song in Green Bay. That will open the door for Van Ness to slide into Smith’s starting role opposite Gary. 

With that potential departure in mind, Gutekunst may add another edge rusher to the mix to make for a more seamless transition. 

Kneeland is adept at putting pressure on the quarterback and is equally as impactful against the run. 

“By drafting Kneeland, an NFL team gets a fantastic foundation of a defensive end to work with,” Helwick said. “Kneeland is exceptional in his speed, agility, strength, and overall athleticism. As previously mentioned, he is a very disruptive run defender and opposing running backs were very aware of his eternal motor in college. There are still refinements needed to his pass-rushing technique such as bend and hand placement, but those are fixable with granular coaching and mentoring at the NFL level. Overall, there is a lot of promise within Kneeland and he can immediately bolster a team’s run defense, and long-term, he can thrive as a premier pass rusher.”

The Packers need to shore up their run defense. That’s a tale as old as time. Kneeland could help remedy Green Bay’s leaky run defense. The Western Michigan product would also give Jeff Hafley another player who can hunt the quarterback. 

With the current roster makeup, Kneeland would likely play sparingly during his rookie season. Fast forward a year and those snaps could see a massive uptick if the 2024 campaign is indeed Smith’s final season in Green Bay. 

With his size, strength and relentless play style, Kneeland has the makings of a disruptive force. Given the fact that the Packers have four picks on Day 2 of the draft, Kneeland could be a potential target in that range, as the Packers look to build a dominant front seven. 

2024 NFL Draft: Western Michigan DL Marshawn Kneeland scouting report

Western Michigan DL Marshawn Kneeland has true multi-gap disruptive potential, and he plays as if he’s shot out of a cannon. What’s not to like?

Marshawn Kneeland, who starred in football and track at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, took his game to Western Michigan and became a force for the Broncos’ defense in 2020, with four sacks and 13 total pressures on just 91 pass-rushing snaps. Through four seasons, Kneeland kept that high pass-rush rate up, and in 2023, he had a career-high six sacks and 37 total pressures. At 6′ 3″ and 267 pounds, Kneeland also put up 38 solo tackles and 35 stops in 2023, and he had a strong Senior Bowl week as an exclamation point to his good game tape.

Every defensive coordinator wants a guy who plays like his hair is on fire at all times, and Kneeland certainly qualifies. He’s a multi-gap disruptor with a ton of upside, and I’m betting that a lot of NFL evaluators will set aside any small-school biases when discussing his professional potential.

PLUSES

— Gap-shooting edge-rusher who can quickly work from outside the tackle to the center, and will move to the pocket quickly.

— Can win everywhere from an edge alignment to head-over nose tackle. — Relentless disruptor who works from snap to whistle.

— Stacks and sheds quickly and powerfully; his 83⅜” wingspan (90th percentile for edge-rushers) allows him to establish dominance from the snap.

— Brings extra juice as an off-ball “spinner” who can time rushes and work to the quarterback in a hurry.

— Has a dynamite spin move to disengage from blockers who slow him down.

MINUSES

— Kneeland’s frenetic style will have him missing targets in the backfield at times.

— Could stand to have more of a plan with his hands to knife through double teams and penetrate through more adept opponents.

— Must keep his leverage together to avoid being blocked out too easily by tight ends and running backs.

— Prone to biting on action and misdirection in the backfield.

— Strength of opponent is a legitimate concern in a transitive sense, though the tape shows more than enough NFL potential.

Kneeland has a fabulous playing personality — if there’s a play anywhere near him, he’ll do everything he can to kill it with fire. There are a few points of precision to deal with when he gets to the NFL level, but he’s an ideal multi-gap disrupting prospect in the next phase of his career.

Commanders to host Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland on pre-draft visit

The Commanders bringing in another defender on a pre-draft visit.

The Washington Commanders have six picks in the first three rounds of this month’s 2024 NFL draft. While Washington is expected to take a quarterback at No. 2 overall, it must address other areas on the roster, too.

One of those positions is defensive end. The Commanders traded defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last fall and allowed backups Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams to depart via free agency.

Under new head coach Dan Quinn, Washington signed veterans Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell in free agency. They join a room that includes second-year edge rushers K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr.

With Ferrell and Fowler only signed to one-year deals, the Commanders could use some of their draft capital to address the position. One player Washington has shown interest in, according to NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, is Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland.

Pauline says Kneeland has 16 visits scheduled, with Washington being one of those visits.

Kneeland played in 37 career college games, and while he didn’t post eye-popping sack numbers, he was productive. A former high school tight end, Kneeland is athletic and is known more as a power rusher than a speed rusher.

The Commanders continue to focus on bringing in players on top-30 visits who have high-level traits. Kneeland is expected to be drafted on the second day of the draft.