Strong performance in Oxnard accelerates expected production from Cowboys’ 2024 rookie class

OXNARD, Calif. — Camp is broken. The Dallas Cowboys have left the balmy breezes of Southern California behind for the blast that is a North Texas summer.

There is more work to be done before the regular season begins Sunday in two weeks, but the foundation laid in Oxnard was significant.

This is also evident from the final pre-season game against the LA Chargers: the contribution Dallas will receive from its rookie class this season will be significant.

“It’s a very mature rookie class,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “You could see that right away. Just in their approach and their individual and really as a whole. Group time, individual time, I’m so impressed with this particular group.

“I think it’s clear that these guys are definitely going to contribute early and often to our success.”

Let’s start with the two rookies set to start the opener against Cleveland. Left tackle Tyler Guyton and center Cooper Beebe were drafted to continue the bridge to the future for Dallas’ offensive line.

The future is now.

The two have impressed coaches and teammates with their approach. Generational guard Zack Martin talks about how impressive Guyton, the team’s first-round pick, has been in his moves so early in his career. Beebe has never played center before, but he’s a big, strong guy who can anchor the middle and, in his own words, loves dirt people.

“He’s mean, which is great,” Martin said of Beebe. “And that stuff is contagious.”

It’s not just about Guyton and Beebe’s physical prowess.

“Super, super impressive, both of them, just their willingness to come in and learn,” right tackle Terence Steele said. “No ego. Just wanting to get better every day.

“They pick our brains, Zack and I, all the vets, ask us what our routine is, anything that can help them be successful. They soak it up like a sponge.

“They will obviously play a major role in our future performance.”

It’s clear that Marshawn Kneeland (second round), Marist Liufau (third round) and Caelen Carson (fifth round) have all secured spots in the defensive rotation.

Kneeland will play a larger role than initially expected after a season-ending injury to Sam Williams left him in that spot. Pass rusher Micah Parsons thinks highly of Kneeland and believes he approached his opportunity the right way.

He is not alone.

“Our rook, man, he’s had a pretty good education when he was in college and high school,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said of Kneeland. “Glad we got him. He’s a great draft pick for us.

“I feel like he’s going to help us a lot this year.”

Carson has made plays in the secondary throughout camp and appears to have cemented the role as the fourth corner. Pro Bowl corner Trevon Diggs has taken the rookie under his wing.

The rookie is off to a good start. His reaction is actually so what.

“I’m not done yet,” the cornerback nicknamed Seat Belt in college said of his performance. “Not by a long shot.

“But it’s coming.”

And then there’s Liufau at linebacker. He got some work with the starters toward the end of camp.

“He makes plays everywhere,” Parsons said. “I think he’s the guy that surprises a lot of people and makes plays, probably as much as Marshawn, if not more. Carson is a little tricky because you have two All-Pros (Diggs and DaRon Bland).

“I think Marist is really going to make that leap.”

Receiver is loaded with talent and an injury slowed sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy entering the season, but he has come on strong the last 10 days and played well in the second preseason game against Las Vegas.

“I just think he’s a young man that’s getting better with every opportunity,” McCarthy said. “He obviously had an injury and missed some time. I think it’s great how he came back.

“You see the confidence from Week 1 to Week 2. He’s taken a huge step. I like his physicality. Run blocking and finishing were exceptional and obviously had the big play (touchdown) there. He’s shown that he’s capable of doing some nice things on special teams.

“I thought he had a good night there in Vegas.”

The team’s two seventh-round picks, offensive tackle Nathan Thomas and defensive tackle Justin Rogers, haven’t put themselves in a position to contribute. The practice squad awaits.

But the first five players taken in this draft have definitely carved out a role for themselves for the season.

“There are always variations on how much influence they have on playing time in regular season games,” McCarthy said.

“But we expect this group to have an impact.”

Tune in to David Moore with The Musers every Monday through Friday at 9:35 a.m. and The Hardline every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4:35 p.m. on The Tickets (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) during training camp.

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