The “Great Wall of Dallas” was well known for moving the chains in the 1990s.

The Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft picks reflect an urgency to rebuild that wall. The Cowboys drafted Kansas State Standout Cooper Beebe, Interior Offensive Lineman, in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. When my “draft grades” released last week this pick was an “A” grade and my personal favorite pick in the draft. Let’s take a deeper look at Cooper Beebe and why I believe Dallas may have hit a home run on this pick.

Draft Night Trade Creates Opportunity

The Cowboys’ decision to draft Beebe with the 73rd overall pick would have never happened if it weren’t for a trade with the Detroit Lions. The Lions moved up to 24 and Dallas dropped to 29, picking up the Lion’s 3rd round pick as well, where Beebe was suddenly available. The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to draft Beebe reflects their strategic approach for their future. As many “experts” were calling for a running back in the 3rd round, Dallas decided to improve their run game in a different way.

College Career

Cooper Beebe, a three-time first-team all-conference pick and two-time offensive lineman of the year by the Big 12 conference coaches, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Cowboys. His impressive performance in college, including a standout senior season at Kansas State, demonstrates his versatility and strength as a lineman. Beebe has played in various positions along the offensive line, showcasing his adaptability and readiness to contribute wherever needed. The Cowboys are currently looking to replace Center Tyler Biadasz who left to join the Commanders in Free Agency. The Cowboys now seem to have a 3-man contest for starting center which includes Brock Hoffman, TJ Bass, and Beebe. Don’t rule out Beebe starting at guard, even if he’s not the center. His size, versatility, and talent would be a waste on the bench.

The Stats on Beebe

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 322 pounds, Beebe is a physically dominating blocker with a strong track record. In his final year at Kansas State, he allowed just one sack in 2023, with a total of five sacks allowed in 1,448 career pass blocking opportunities. He showed his versatility as a senior, starting all 13 games at left guard but also playing 106 snaps at right tackle and 20 at left tackle the first six games.

Impressive NFL Combine

At the NFL Combine, Beebe delivered a stellar performance, ranking in the 79th percentile or better for his position group in all but one of the drills. His 5.03 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 7.44 in the three-cone drill were particularly impressive, demonstrating his athleticism and potential to excel at the next level.

Beebe’s Attitude

Cooper Beebe’s tough-guy attitude is reflected by his comments at the NFL Draft. Beebe told reporters “I would say I’m a pretty nasty guy. 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 kind of mindset that I want to dirt dudes anytime I can. So, it’s kind of that nasty playstyle.”

The Future with Cooper

Beebe’s addition to the team brings a new level of depth and talent to the Cowboys’ offensive line, which could prove pivotal in their quest to improve the run game. He also provides stability in the future as assumed future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin is approaching the twilight of his career.

As the Dallas Cowboys look to the future with their new draft picks, the selection of Cooper Beebe stands out as a significant investment in the team’s offense. With his remarkable college career and impressive combine performance, Beebe is poised to make a substantial immediate impact on the Cowboys’ offensive line and contribute to the team’s success in the future. Cowboys fans are hoping Beebe will help bring that “Great Wall of Dallas” back to life.

Reggie Sanderson “Cowboy Regg”: Cowboys and Fighting Irish Sports Writer for We Like Sportz.

Cowboy Regg is co-host of “The Sons of the Star“ Podcast, available on YouTube and Spotify.

Follow him on X : @ Cowboy_Regg