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Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL draft picks: Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton helps fill out offensive line

Let's take a closer look at each of the Cowboys' 2024 draft picks.

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FRISCO, Texas -- The 2024 NFL draft (ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) began Thursday night in Detroit and will wrap up on Saturday.

ESPN will provide pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Dallas Cowboys' selections as they are made.

A look at each of Dallas' scheduled selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 29 overall (via Detroit): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma My take: You never want to be forced into taking a specific position in the draft, but the Cowboys almost had to come away with an offensive lineman in the first round. By trading back with Detroit, the Cowboys cost themselves a chance to take center Graham Barton, who is more ready to play right away, but Guyton plays a premium position at tackle. He will need some time to adjust to the pro game as well as likely a new position after starting just 15 games at Oklahoma with 13 coming at right tackle. Replacing a legend like Tyron Smith at left tackle would be difficult for any rookie but patience might be the biggest key when assessing Guyton as a rookie.

Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: It fills a hole because the Cowboys' in-house candidates -- Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball -- are inexperienced as well. Guyton did not believe it would take him long to get accustomed to left tackle. "I've done both," he said. "I feel like either one I'm good at, and I'll jump right in at left tackle and do whatever I can ... There's no big difference for me. I feel it's only flipping plays and flipping techniques. I don't think it will be a hard job to do. I'm really excited for it actually."

What we're hearing about Guyton: He was not a visitor to The Star prior to the draft, but the Cowboys met with him at the combine and at his pro day. Guyton said he spoke with offensive line coach Mike Solari multiple times and felt a connection. "We've got a history of having guys that do things at a high level at that position and there's some traits that definitely showed us that that was there," vice president of player personnel Will McClay said. "You talk about athletic ability, and left tackles are usually more athletic, and this guy is an athletic guy -- basketball background, some defense in his nature. So that way that he plays the game will add something to us as well."

Round 2, No. 56: Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan My take: While others see running back and linebacker as a need, defensive end is a need too, especially when factoring in the departures in free agency of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., and with DeMarcus Lawrence in the final year of his contract. Kneeland had 13 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his career, but never topped more than 4.5 in a season.

When will he be expected to get regular playing time?: It has to happen as a rookie. He fits a style that new coordinator Mike Zimmer likes in his defensive ends with his size, but he has work to do as a pass-rusher. But the Cowboys have to replace 446 snaps from Armstrong and 270 snaps from Fowler. Sam Williams, a second-round pick in 2022, will get the chance he has wanted and get more action with Lawrence and Micah Parsons. After that, the pickings are slim, especially since last year's fourth-round pick, Junior Fehoko, did not play a snap as a rookie.

Round 3, No. 73 (via Detroit): Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State

My take: With Zack Martin potentially entering the final year of his time with the Cowboys, Beebe can be seen as a future starter at guard. There are some who believe he can play center, which is a need for the Cowboys even as they profess faith in Brock Hoffman. At Kansas State, however, he played every spot but center, although he saw time there in practices. He has the credentials as a two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Will he start as a rookie? He might be given the chance if the Cowboys want to take a look at him as a center. On Thursday, executive vice president Stephen Jones was asked about the in-house center, Hoffman, who started one game last season: "Whoever comes to compete against him better bring their lunch pail, because he's serious about it." Beebe played right and left tackle and right and left guard and gave up just five sacks in 1,488 snaps. At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, he has the size to play center, as well as the movement skills. But the fact that he has yet to do it might mean it is best to be patient.

Round 3, No. 87: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

My take: The Cowboys signed Eric Kendricks in free agency, but linebacker was still a major need even with last year's third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown coming back from a torn ACL. He started the final 25 games of his career at Notre Dame and had 44 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. He was a pre-draft visitor to the Cowboys, which has been a precursor to the team selecting players in recent years.

Is this a pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: Maybe both as a rookie.  Zimmer has Kendricks, whom he coached in Minnesota, to help teach the system to the young linebackers, like Overshown, Damone Clark and, now, Liufau. He can help in coverage, which is important against the tight ends the Cowboys will see, but he will also have the chance to be a core special teamer. With the change in the kickoff rules this year, the Cowboys will have to have players who can cover a lot of ground. At the very least, that's what he can do to help first.

What's next: The Cowboys will have to wait some time to make a pick since they don't have a fourth-rounder at the moment because of last year's trade for Trey Lance. Their first pick Saturday is No. 174 overall in the fifth round. They also have a sixth-round pick (216) and two seventh-round picks (233, 244). Will they try to make a move for a running back in the fourth round?

Remaining picks

Round 5: No. 174

Round 6: No. 216

Round 7: No. 233 (via Las Vegas)

Round 7: No. 244