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

Which rookie class do you think is playing better, Dallas’ or Detroit’s?

Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. 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 left the game early last week and was seen with his knee wrapped up. He’s participating in practice after Mike McCarthy called him day-to-day. All indications are that he will play. Although Guyton is having his struggles this year he’s having to learn on the job and do it as quickly as possible.
Grade: 49.7

Marshawn Kneeland

Second Round
Kneeland is done for the next few weeks with a knee injury that requires surgery. He’s heading to injured reserve but the expectation is he will return in a four to six weeks and be able to play. That’s at least some good news on the disaster that currently resides at the defensive end position for Dallas.
Grade: 54.7

Cooper Beebe

Third Round
Beebe allowed two pressures last week but hasn’t allowed a sack since the Baltimore game. He’s playing solidly at the moment and his run blocking last week took a significant leap. He is looking more like the mauler that was seen on tape in college. He will get a significant test this week against a very able and effective Detroit defensive line that can crash the inside and defend the run efficiently.
Grade: 58.4

Marist Liufau

Third Round
Liufau is showing he has some way to go as a general defender at the linebacker position. But his coverage skills have been on display and last week he was exceptionally good. He made one pass breakup last week and his lateral speed looked on top form. How much he’ll get used is dependent on how much Mike Zimmer trusts Liufau in defending this offense that has two very effective running backs.
Grade: 53.0

Caelen Carson

Fifth Round
Carson has missed the last two weeks with injury. With DaRon Bland possibly coming back into the lineup, that would put Carson down the pecking order. He would play as the fourth cornerback which leaves him room to develop. He is questionable this week.
Grade: 57.9

Ryan Flournoy

Sixth Round

Flournoy came off the practice squad last week and played a handful of snaps on offense. Mike McCarthy had Flournoy in mostly on running plays but he did get chance to run a couple of routes. He got no targets last week and this week he will likely get elevated again to help fill the wide receiver position. The Lions defense is struggling to defend the pass at the moment so if Flournoy gets his chances this week he can demonstrate that athleticism fans have seen in training camp.
Grade: 55.0

Brevyn Spann-Ford

UDFA
Ford has his most significant game in his NFL career last week. He played 15 snaps with nine of those snaps played as a run blocker. But he was targeted three times last week and made two receptions, one of which he made a major play to help secure a first down.
Grade: 54.8

Detroit Lions

Terrion Arnold

First Round
Arnold is a high IQ corner who possesses the awareness and instincts necessary to be effective at defending the run. He can make swift decisions and quickly move downhill to support the run and that’s been seen this year. At times, he plays aggressively, particularly in coverage. He often jumps into his breaks, which results in a slower ability to change direction. That has led to him so far this season to allow a 64% completion rate and a touchdown. He also gets grabby and has now got eight penalties against him this year.
Grade: 47.6

Ennis Rakestraw Jr

Second Round
Rakestraw was a bit of a secret weapon in this year’s draft. He’s an agile corner with impressive footwork for quick transitions and fluid hip movement for turning and sprinting. Exhibits excellent lateral agility to match receivers at the line of scrimmage, along with the speed to keep up with the majority of them. His issue is size, he’s a slim-built athlete. Due to his size he lacks the necessary functional strength. When he’s had to contend with larger receivers at the catch point and when dealing with blockers in open space he loses that battle nearly every time. He hasn’t played much this year and featured in a couple of snaps in Week 1 and Week 4.
Grade: 63.2

Giovanni Manu

Fourth Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A

Sione Vaki

Fourth Round
Vaki has played eight snaps this year and in those eight snaps he’s been targeted once to make one reception for 17 yards. His bread and butter on the roster at the moment comes on special teams and this will likely be his key contribution this week against Dallas.
Grade: 74.4

Mekhi Wingo

Sixth Round
The LSU defensive tackle has played 74 snaps this year for Detroit. Wingo shows remarkable quickness off the line and excellent lateral movement, allowing for effective penetration into gaps and disruption of plays. He demonstrates a high motor and an unwavering drive to chase the ball, playing with great intensity in every part of the game. The issue for Wingo is he struggles with maintaining consistency and finishing plays, especially when it comes to applying pressure and securing sacks. This can be mitigated by stronger guards and double teams, highlighting the necessity for enhanced strength and leverage. Mostly this is due to his size functional strength issues.
Grade: 65.1