Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how some of each team’s rookie class stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)
Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Guyton
First Round
Tyler Guyton spent the start of the game on the bench last week. After Chuma Edoga went down injured, Guyton was soon thrown in and had a good game. Against the Panthers, Guyton had the best game of his career so far this year and looked very much improved both in passing sets and as a run blocker. The pass rush pressure from Tampa comes mostly from the inside at the defensive tackle position which means for Guyton blocking the edge should be an easier day for him.
Grade: 50.0
Marshawn Kneeland
Second Round
Other than the fumble recovery in last week’s game, Kneeland was quiet for the rest of the day against the Carolina Panthers. There’s whispers of DeMarcus Lawrence inching his way back to playing and with that being the case it will only push Kneeland’s snap count down. If he can’t deliver some pressure in the opposition’s backfield he makes a hard case to be accounted for when Lawrence does return.
Grade: 56.1
Cooper Beebe
Third Round
The good news is Beebe has a full practice under his belt this week so that means he’s officially off concussion protocol. With two players on the offensive line looking unlikely to play this week having Beebe back now is good timing. He will have his work cut out in the middle as he tries to slow down both Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey who both lead the team in sacks.
Grade: 64.4
Marist Liufau
Third Round
So the Cowboys have found another diamond at the linebacker position with Marist Liufau. He’s made some huge plays on the ball carrier the past few weeks and seeing him develop each week this season has been fun to watch. He’s slowly turning into a great defensive playmaker and if he can do it again this week against a quarterback that’s fourth in the league in passing yards that will most certainly make him a key starter going forward.
Grade: 43.5
Caelen Carson
Fifth Round
Moved to Injured Reserve
Grade: 39.7
Ryan Flournoy
Sixth Round
Flournoy has only four receptions this year and has made zero receptions the last three weeks. His main job for Dallas is on special teams and expect that to not change this week.
Grade: 59.4
Brevyn Spann-Ford
UDFA
Another player with focus on special teams. On offense, Ford is used as the third tight end to help bolster the run blocking. But since Jake Ferguson has returned and Ford has been in as an extra blocker, Rico Dowdle has exploded onto the scene in the run game.
Grade: 56.5
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Graham Barton
First Round
Nearly every Cowboys reporter, draft analyst and fan wanted to see Barton in Dallas, but that never came to be. But here’s an interesting fact, Beebe has allowed less pressures than Barton and a significantly less amount of penalties. Barton is second among all rookie inside offensive linemen in penalty count, not far off Guyton’s numbers. He will now face a Cowboys defensive line that has really turned it on the last few weeks and is generating one of the highest amount of pressures this season. Expect this Cowboys defense to pick on the rookie center.
Grade: 53.8
Chris Braswell
Second Round
The young Alabama pass rusher has featured in rotation in every game this season. He’s totaled 16 pressures and managed to get two sacks. He’s hit a slight slump recently though and his pressure count has gone down and his last sack came in Week 6.
Grade: 59.1
Tykee Smith
Third Round
The slot corner out of Georgia is having a mixed season. He’s allowed a 67% completion rate and 85.0 passer rating allowed, but he has made two interceptions and four pass breakups. It’s just a very inconsistent season so far for Smith and he faces the prospect of going up against CeeDee Lamb in the slot when the top tier receiver drifts into position.
Grade: 72.7
Jalen McMillan
Third Round
McMillan started the season slowly after being pushed into a starting role due to injury. As the season has developed the chemistry and trust between him and Baker Mayfield has developed and the past three weeks has seen things seriously develop. McMillan had his best game last week against the L.A. Chargers, going for 79 yards and a touchdown. He has 22 receptions this season with 11 of those coming in the last three weeks, and three of his four touchdowns this season have come in the last two weeks.
Grade: 53.8
Bucky Irving
Fourth Round
Barton may have had all the attention on draft day from Tampa fans when he was drafted, but it’s been Bucky Irving that’s taken all the rookie limelight this year. He leads all rookie running backs this season in rushing yards and touchdowns and he ranks third in yard per carry among all running backs. He’s been limited this week due to a back injury so keep an eye for his name on game day. Against this Cowboys run defense, Irving could have a really big day if let loose.
Grade: 88.7
Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Poll
Which team has the better rookie class?
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37%
Dallas Cowboys
(39 votes)
62%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(64 votes)
103 votes total
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Source : BloggingTheBoys