Marshawn Kneeland is edging closer to starting in 2025

Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland may be moving into a big role in his second season.

There’s been plenty of talk this offseason about the Cowboys’ likely reliance on young prospects on the 2025 roster. One such player is second-year DE Marshawn Kneeland, who could be looking at a starting job this year unless Dallas uses its first-round pick on his position.

Of course, the draft could change realities for plenty of guys depending on who the Cowboys draft early. But with Dallas expected to deal with holes at RB, WR, or CB with their first few picks, an immediate new starter at other positions seems less likely. They’ll likely lean into the development of OT Tyler Guyton, DT Mazi Smith, and others to shore up issues at those spots.

Kneeland, a second-round pick in 2024, is another guy the Cowboys may be counting on. With both DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston leaving last month in free agency, Kneeland is the closest thing Dallas has currently had to a proper replacement. While Dante Fowler and Sam Williams’ returns will help with the pass rush, Kneeland’s size and game are closer to the run-stopping role that Lawrence and Golston helped fill.

The Cowboys also signed Payton Turner, a former first-round pick by the Saints in 2021, but he’s also more of a pass rusher. And really, with his career never taking off in New Orleans, he’s hardly coming into Dallas with any expectations of an immediate role. He’s more of a roll of the dice than anything.

Turner isn’t the first-round pick that Kneeland needs to worry about. It’s the next one, coming Thursday, April 24th, and the chance that Dallas could use it on one of the top edge prospects in this year’s class. That possibility certainly can’t be ignored given the potential “best player available” scenario, but at least the Cowboys have bigger needs to address once they’re on the clock.

Still, Dallas has met with Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Tennessee’s James Pearce, and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart in pre-draft visits. These are all players with strong first-round potential, so the Cowboys must at least be considering taking one if they’re not happy with their options at other positions. They could also be preparing in case one of them falls to the 44th pick, but that’s hardly something you can count on.

In terms of replacing DeMarcus Lawrence, though, Kneeland already has a solid claim. He, like Tank, was a second-round pick. He was even compared to Lawrence when drafted as a guy who, while being stronger against the run, possessed all-around upside. Kneeland flashed enough in his opportunities to give hope for better things to come.

One person inspired by Kneeland’s play was former Cowboys defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford, who posted the following on social media just a couple of weeks ago:

In replies to that tweet, Crawford confirmed that one of the players he was praising was Kneeland. Granted, he’s only one guy and no longer involved with the organization in any official capacity. But as a longtime veteran leader on Dallas’ defense, Crawford’s high opinion of Kneeland at least gives us reason to be excited.

As with many other players come draft weekend, Marshawn Kneeland may see his fortunes change depending on who the Cowboys select. But for right now, he’s in a strong position to be a primary piece for Dallas’ run defense and perhaps more. It’s been a bit since the Cowboys hit big with a second-rounder (Trevon Diggs in 2020), so hopefully Kneeland can be one of the good ones. Dallas certainly needs him or someone else to step up and fill the void at defensive end.