Cowboys praised for third-round selection of Cooper Beebe
The Dallas Cowboys potentially plugged two key starter holes with their first three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they’re receiving a lot of credit for third-round selection Cooper Beebe. Though Beebe likely isn’t in line to challenge Tyler Smith or Zack Martin for guard reps this year, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and many others see the former Kansas State star starting for the Cowboys at center this year.
Kiper included Beebe in his best 100 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft – ranking the selection his No. 88 favorite selection. He had him as the 63rd best prospect in the draft and the Cowboys managed to get him with pick No. 73 in the third round. It wasn’t even a selection they owned when the day began, but they got it by trading down five spots in the first round.
“Beebe was a college left guard who did take some snaps at tackle, but don’t be surprised if he moves inside to center for the Cowboys,” Kiper writes. “He has rookie starter ability.”
After local reporters dove into the two-time All-American’s college tape, they also quickly fell in love with the team’s choice.
“Cooper Beebe will be the biggest, most physical and nastiest center in Cowboys history,” long-time Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill tweeted. “Never had a player with his size, strength and demeanor at the position.”
Beebe: Loves to ‘dirt people’
Former Cowboys offensive lineman Brian Baldinger posted a video breakdown of Beebe’s tape against Texas this year. In the tape, the 6-foot-3, 332-pound guard efficiently handles two of the draft’s best tackles – T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.
Following his selection on day two of the draft, Beebe opened up about his mentality and style of play. He describes himself as a “pretty nasty guy.”
“I’m a pretty nasty guy,” Beebe said, via Lone Star Live. “I’m a dude that tries to dirt people anytime I can, but I’m also a dude that focuses on technique. I have that mindset where I want to dirt dudes anytime I can, so I kind of have that nasty play style.”
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“You talk about Zack Martin, those guys, they’re some of the best to ever do it,” he continued. “They play with that dirty kind of mindset. They’re going to blow people off the ball, and they’re going to do the dirty work, and I’m excited to join that.”
New Cowboys lineman ready for move to center
Fellow Kansas State draftee K.T. Leveston opened up this week about his belief in Beebe’s ability to slide to center for Dallas.
“He was with us for four years and we built that special bond. When I saw Coop going to Dallas, I told him, ‘You’re going to the greatest state in America,'” Leveston said. “We really pride ourselves on being very versatile. He’s played left guard, right guard, right tackle, left tackle, he hasn’t played any live game reps at center but a lot of practice reps. He knew coming back this last year that teams were looking at him and wanting to know if he could snap. He was taking extra reps at center before practice ends.”
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is happy with the team’s selection as well. With Tyler Guyton in the first round and Beebe in the third, he believes Jerry Jones and the front office brought in two potential year-one starters.
“It’s obviously two talented players,” McCarthy said. “They both have starter ability. I think like anything, and I know for me personally, you look at the season and the length of the season and the challenges we’ve had in the past, you pay attention to the number of starts and consecutive starts they’ve had as an offensive unit… They have clearly given us the depth we need.
“I think it’ll be the most competitive offensive line room in my time here.”