2024 Cowboy draft and UDFA info

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Brugler on Marshawn Kneeland:

5th rated Edge/DE, 32nd overall.

STRENGTHS: Looks the part with NFL size and length … flashes twitch in his upfield attack and rushes with brute power … uses his full arm extension, heavy hands and hip snap to bully blockers at the point of attack and gain immediate leverage … smooth rip/dip move to gain freedom … maintains hard-charging energy through contact … sets a hard edge … processes quickly and makes disciplined run reads … maintains good block-to-ball relationships to contain runs … was recruited as a tight end by some schools and can see that body control when playing in space (scored a rushing touchdown in the 2023 season opener) … effort doesn’t quit, especial ly from the backside … named a team captain in his final season.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal bend at the top of his rush … initial quickness is better than his counter quickness … pass-rush instincts have improved but still developing … saw a lot more double teams and chips on his 2023 tape, and it was a learning process for him … can be washed out at times when he is reduced inside … his higheffort play style can lead to missed tacklesin the backfield … majority of his backfield production in 2023 happened in one game versus Eastern Michigan (four tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble) … never reached five sacks in any of college season … nagging injuries hampered him the past two seasons — a calf injury in 2022 and an elbow injury in 2023.

SUMMARY: A three-year starter, Kneeland was an edge rusher in defensive coordinator Lou Esposito’s four-man attack. Lowly recruited (No. 3,427 overall in the 2019 class), he improved each season in college and had arguably the best single tape of any pass rusher i n 2023 with what he did against Eastern Michigan. When shopping for pass rushers, give me the guys who hate to be blocked. Kneeland certainly qualifies, as he uses his long arms and bully hands to get loose. Though he lacks the rush savvy that leads to high-end production, he is explosive in his movements with the power to push the pocket or plant ball carriers. Overall, 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. GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (No. 32 overall)

 

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Brugler on Cooper Beebe:

3rd rated OG, 38th overall

STRENGTHS: Owns a wide frame with thick trunk, torso and calves … shows controlled feet to gain positioning and sit down in pass pro … peppers blockers with heavy hands to create knockback … his reach is short but powerful, helping him keep rushers off his frame in pass pro (see his 2022 matchup versus Tyree Wilson) … outstanding vision to come off his initial block and answer blitzers from depth … always looking for work and using his eyes … not explosive as a puller but efficient and executes … consistently gets movement on down blocks … able to latch and move his man to create holes in the run game … nasty finisher and looks to remove defenders from their feet … committed only two penalties over his final 26 games (one holding, one ineligible downfield) … prepares as hard as he plays, and KSU offensive line coach Conor Riley calls him an “extension” of the coaching staff … outstanding football character and didn’t miss a game the last three seasons (finished his career with 45 straight starts) … logged snaps at left tackle (778), right tackle (476), left guard (1,846) and right guard (25) and worked out at center during 2023 spring practices … first player since Creed Humphrey to earn Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in back -to-back seasons.

WEAKNESSES: His short arms will be a deal-breaker for some teams … athletic testing was better than expected, but average range and tightness in his ankles show on tape … guilty of overextending, which creates openings for savvy defensive linemen … doesn’t have the fluid body control for easy recoveries … shockingly low bench press number at the combine considering his arm length and play strength … active hands, but his aiming points can be improved in pass pro … his hands are usually ahead of schedule, and his feet are playing catchup when attempting to reposition.

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Kansas State, Beebe was primarily a left guard in former offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s multiple run -scheme, but he also started at both tackle spots. One of his goals was to become the first offensive lineman to make KSU’s Ring of Honor,and that honor should be in his future after he became the first offensive lineman in school history named a consensus All-American. In pass protection, Beebe’s recovery skills are lacking, but he has the disciplined eyes expected of a veteran and displays measured steps and strong hands to keep rushers occupied (allowed only one sack over his final 41 games played in college). Despite some excessive leaning in the run game, the Kansas State offense consistently found success running be hind him. Overall, Beebe doesn’t have ideal arm length that most teams desire, but he is stout, controlled and plays with power at contact. He will fit both gap and zone schemes in the NFL and projects as a highfloor starting guard. GRADE: 2nd Round (No. 38 overall)

 

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Burgler on Marist Liufau:

15th rated LB, 5th/6th rd grade

STRENGTHS: Checks boxes for his frame, arm length and play strength … first-step acceleration and always-revving motor get him to his destination quicker than the ETA … competes with an aggressive mentality and bangs with offensive linemen without hesitation … shows a basic understanding of read concepts and plays gap-sound in the run game … effective blitzer and shows a ton of downhill force … blood-thirsty tackler and willingly throws his body around to leave his mark on the ball carrier … his grit and urgency are on display each play … uses his hands well to rough up tight ends early in their routes … started 25 straight games after coming back from his major ankle injury in 2021.

WEAKNESSES: Frenetic eyes lead to wasted steps and missed plays … missteps in space diminish his leverage as an alley defender … can be manipulated by motions and backfield action … put too many missed tackles on his 2023 film and needs to break down with better wrap-up timing/control … scouts appreciate his eagerness as a tackler, but he must become smarter or he will pile up roughing and late hit penalties from NFL officials … plays with more confidence downhill with limited off-ball coverage production … undeveloped anticipation as a zone dropper (90.9 percent of plays when he was targeted resulted in an offensive completion in 2023) … suffered a broken right ankle and fibula (August 2021) and required season-ending surgery … averaged only 3.8 tackles per game the last two seasons.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Liufau played Will linebacker in head coach Marcus Freeman’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After a broken ankle sidelined him for the 2021 season, he ripped off 25 straight starts to finish his Irish career and was often the most en ergetic player on the field. With his closing burst and physicality, Liufau plays through contact well and punches above his weight class when working downhill. His explosive energy helps him cover a lot of ground in a hurry, although he needs to play with better anticipation and control to be a playmaker in coverage and as a tackler. Overall, Liufau has intriguing traits with his length, burst and violence, but he must improve his play instincts to balance out his relentless play style. He should shine as a “core four” special teamer in the NFL while he gets coached up for a chance at meaningful defensive snaps (similar to the Las Vegas Raiders’ Divine Deablo). GRADE: 5th-6th Round

 

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Nathan Thomas interview

 

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All draft pick highlights combined.

 

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