Position battleground (rookies): Cowboys vs. 49ers breakdown for draft picks/UDFAs

Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. 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
From what’s coming out this week from Dallas HQ, Guyton will be back this week and will resume his role as the teams starting left tackle. Guyton has taken a lot of flak this season on his performance, and tied with his draft capital the front office spent on him, fans want to see results. All offensive linemen need time to develop and there are moments where Guyton looks to be getting it, only to have a blip on the next play. It’s two steps forward and one step back.
Grade: 49.7

Marshawn Kneeland
Second Round
On injured reserve
Grade: 54.7

Cooper Beebe
Third Round
Beebe has been a steady presence and has gone three consecutive games without allowing a sack. This week he faces a defensive line that loves to shift around, bring out NASCAR packages and rush from the inside. This will give Beebe plenty of work this week.
Grade: 55.5

Marist Liufau
Third Round
Reading landmarks and playing with better instincts is Liufau’s biggest weakness. His athleticism and coverage skills have zero questions, it’s the run defense where he struggles. If he can get that part of his game sharpened up he will be a force on defense. The unfortunate part for this Cowboys linebacker corps is the lack of support it’s getting from upfront with the defensive line. This gives the linebackers more work to do and facing this 49ers rushing attack will give them more than a fair workload.
Grade: 53.9

Caelen Carson
Fifth Round
Carson hasn’t taken a snap since Week 3 and but he may be called upon with DaRon Bland’s status still up in the air. Carson has looked competent so far, but as a rookie still has much work to do.
Grade: 57.9

Ryan Flournoy
Sixth Round
Flournoy played two offensive snaps against Detroit and made a reception on one of those snaps, but unfortunately fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Detroit. It’s rough timing for Flournoy as the game was riddled with issues and turnovers. Keep an eye on his practice designation this week as he deals an ankle issue.
Grade: 43.3

Brevyn Spann-Ford
UDFA
Ford continues his role as TE3 and is being utilized primarily as an extra run blocker when Dallas tries to establish the run. Other than that you’ll find him on special team duties.
Grade: 53.7

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

San Francisco

Ricky Pearsall
First Round
The young Gator receiver suddenly finds himself in the WR rotation this week thanks to a string of injuries on the 49ers receiver corps. In the offseason he was involved in an incident where he was shot, thankfully he sustained no major injures from the gunshot. Pearsall led the Florida Gators in receptions (65), receiving yards (965) and receiving yards per game (80.4) in 2023. So far this year he’s made three receptions for 21 yards, which all came last week against Kansas City.
Grade: 58.0

Renardo Green
Second Round
The 49ers made a smart pick in the second round to help with its secondary. Green was known for his versatility at Florida State. He played in 13 games last season, leading Florida State with a total of 13 pass breakups and did it from a range of positions in the secondary. The 49ers have opted to utilize this versatility and last week Green played snaps both out wide and from the slot, out-snapping veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom.
Grade: 67.4

Dominick Puni
Third Round
Puni joins a solid offensive line and plays as the team’s starting right guard. He’s allowed zero sacks and only 13 pressures this year, but it was his run blocking that attracted him to the 49ers. He’s a physical and smart run blocker and fits the 49ers offensive line scheme perfectly.
Grade: 76.8

Malik Mustapha
Fourth Round
Injuries forced the Wake Forest safety to take up the starting strong safety position for San Francisco. He got an interception against Seattle in Week 6 and against the Chiefs last week he led the team in tackles. Keep watch for this guy, he’s a sneaky safety with a lot to prove.
Grade: 57.7

Isaac Guerendo
Fourth Round
If you’re a running back coming out of college and get drafted by San Francisco you have to be ecstatic. Well, Guerendo has yet to score but has broken off a huge 76-yard run this season. In 2023 while playing for Louisville, Guerendo rushed for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 234 receiving yards.
Grade: 53.0

Jacob Cowing
Fourth Round
Cowing plays primarily as the teams punt returner. He’s made two receptions on offense for 50 yards. He’s added nine punt returns this year for an average of six yards per return. It won’t be long before this coaching staff looks to his versatility as he can run ball from the backfield as well as line up out wide.
Grade: 81.1

Tatum Bethune
Seventh Round
Bethune has played six snaps on defense and has yet to register a tackle. His bread and butter comes on special teams where he’s registered two tackles.
Grade: 64.5

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

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