Position battleground (rookies): Cowboys vs. Ravens breakdown for draft picks/UDFAs

Both the Cowboys and Ravens have interesting rookie classes.

Previously we broke down both team’s offense and for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. 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 of defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)

Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Guyton

First Round
Guyton has his work cut out again this week facing a reasonable pass rush threat. The rookie is developing well as a pass blocker, but it’s clear he still has some way to go. Staying on top of pass rushers and not allowing them to get into him so easily is a key area for him to improve on. This week he faces the threat of Odafe Oweh. Oweh is a threat, but he represents a pass rush threat lower than what Guyton has faced the first two weeks.
Grade: 49.1

Marshawn Kneeland

Second Round
Kneeland had an inspiring first game but for what ever reason he was in on only 18 snaps last week. With the reduction in snaps he came away with only one assisted tackle. Facing an offensive line that has uncertainty with inconsistent play, Kneeland could benefit this week if he gets more reps. His run defending is at a standard where playing him against a team that has both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will give this Cowboys defensive line a boost.
Grade: 54.3

Cooper Beebe

Third Round
There’s no major negative comment to write on Beebe so far, and that’s a good thing to say about your starting center. Apart from the small blip he had last week he’s been fine, and let’s face it, last week there were some major blips in that game. Beebe has his work cut out this week with a solid group of inside defensive linemen for the Ravens. He’ll need to snap and set quickly this week as the Ravens have some explosive and quick-footed defensive tackles at their disposal.
Grade: 63.7

Marist Liufau

Third Round
Liufau got unfairly put through his paces last week. People can point out issues with him being indecisive or not drifting quickly enough, but the rookie linebacker was having problems with his defensive linemen getting thrown around like an empty suitcase which gave him more work than he could handle. He’s able enough and quick enough to get in and bring Jackson down when he gets his skates on. Liufau is one linebacker this week whose skill set really is good at chasing down mobile quarterbacks. It just relies on how effective the defensive line can be to keep Liufau clear to make the tackles.
Grade: 38.4

Caelen Carson

Fifth Round

Carson needs to be on his toes this week as he’ll face either Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman. Flowers leads the wide receiver corps in receiving and Bateman is sneaky good. Either way, Carson will look to improve his performance from last week (which is true for all the defensive backs). One major positive is through the first two weeks the Ravens wide receivers have only scored one touchdown.
Grade: 52.5

Ryan Flournoy

Sixth Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A

Brevyn Spann-Ford

UDFA

How much Spann-Ford plays this week totally depends on what happens with Jake Ferguson. If Ferguson takes a full load of reps, Spann-Ford will go back to his support duties and concentrate on special team duties. If Ferguson is on a pitch count, Spann-Ford will get some run at tight end. Mostly used as an extra blocker on rushing plays and running a limited number of routes.
Grade: 56.0

Baltimore Ravens

Nate Wiggins

First Round

Wiggins was a top cornerback in this years draft and he is extremely talented. He has all potential and athletic skill to be one of the league’s top corners one day. He played 17 snaps in Week 1 and did as expected. But he missed last week’s game and his availability is still unclear after he got into a car accident and suffered a neck injury and concussion. The good news is he will be fine and there’s no long term injury, but so far this week Wiggins hasn’t cleared concussion protocol.

Grade: 76.0

Roger Rosengarten

Second Round

Rosengarten is on the roster as the backup right tackle. He’s played 38 snaps this season so far with mixed results. He allowed a sack during their Week 1 games against Kansas City. Then last week on 14 passing sets he managed to stay clean. Right now he stays on the bench behind starting right tackle Patrick Mekari.

Grade: 52.4