The Cowboys don’t have the experienced veteran leadership they once had.
The Cowboys didn’t have much of a choice except to wait until the draft to address any issues for the 2024 season. They’re now in a salary cap nightmare, with little wiggle space because to Dak Prescott’s $55.4 million cost hit this year.
That means the Cowboys will rely heavily on some of their incoming rookies to make an impact this season, which might make it difficult for the veterans on the roster who now occupy those positions.
Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong, both defensive ends, were among the Cowboys’ notable free agents. Granted, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are still present, but this group required more bodies.
That is where second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland comes in. Kneeland, who is from Western Michigan, is unlikely to be well-known, but the Cowboys were optimistic about his ability to immediately provide toughness to the defensive line.
Lawrence, 32, is coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl season and his fourth overall. He started all 17 games for the Cowboys last season and provided a solid balance to Parsons.
This appears to be his last year in Dallas, as it is the final year of his contract.
With the Cowboys’ major youth movement expected to begin this season, Kneeland will compete for snaps with Lawrence as he seeks to establish himself as the Cowboys’ future starting defensive end.
Brock Hoffman, the Cowboys’ center, cannot be considered a veteran because this will be only his second season in the league.
But there aren’t many veterans on this year’s Cowboys roster. The majority of his playing time came last season, when he appeared in all 17 games, starting two and primarily playing guard.
He’ll be taking over for Tyler Biadasz at center this season after playing there last year when Biadasz was injured.
Still unsure about the position or the offensive line as a whole, Dallas selected Kansas State center/guard Cooper Beebe in the third round to join what will be a very different bunch this season.
Protecting Prescott will, of course, be a priority, but with so many new components, there may be a lot of movement around of players like Biadasz and Beebe at center.
The only problem is that Beebe never played center for Kansas State. That means Beebe could have the toughest competition from veteran guard Zack Martin, 33, who is likely to be in his final season with the Cowboys this year.
Marist Liufau will compete for a starting linebacker position that has little veteran leadership
The Cowboys urgently needed to improve their linebacker room this winter.
They did sign veteran Eric Kendricks, but more was still needed, especially with DeMarvion Overshown recovering from a damaged ACL. Dallas selected Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau in the third round with the No. 87 overall pick.
Liufau is a versatile linebacker who excels at both running and passing. He has 29 games of experience with the Fighting Irish, totaling 118 tackles, 12 for a loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble.
Again, given how thin the Cowboys’ linebacker corps is heading into the 2024 season, there’s no reason Liufau can’t fight for considerable playing time, if not a starting spot, under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
If there’s one player Liufau might be looking at, it’s Overshown, who is now second on the depth chart behind him at strongside linebacker, according to CBS Sports.
However, Overshown is no veteran, having not played a single action for the Cowboys last season.
However, Liufau could face competition from veterans such as Damien Wilson and Damone Clark. But for the time being, it appears that this is a young group of guys who will be figuring things out as they go.
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