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

Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals. 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 or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)

Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Guyton

First Round
Guyton is dealing with a high ankle sprain so expect to see him sidelined for the next few weeks. Chuma Edoga took over last week when Guyton went down and the expectation should be that Edoga returns to left tackle. He allowed only two pressures last week.
Grade: 49.2

Marshawn Kneeland

Second Round
Kneeland didn’t play last week after getting some reps the game before. It’s unknown whether he will suit up so watch the inactive list on game day. When available and healthy, he provides a solid rotation piece on defense.
Grade: 54.7

Cooper Beebe

Third Round
Beebe had some trouble establishing blocks in the run game last week. He should find an easier day this week as he heads up against a defensive line that struggles against the run and is 31st in total sacks this year. With the majority of the Bengals limited pass rush coming from around the edge, Beebe is facing a relatively easy day in pass blocking. That means his efforts can be more concentrated on getting his run blocking perfected.
Grade: 62.2

Marist Liufau

Third Round
Liufau played in only eight snaps on defense last week. What was interesting, however, was how he being deployed. He played more as an outside linebacker, either in coverage or used as an extra rusher on the outside. He managed to force Drew Lock into two hurries last week, adding to the pressure he was under during Thanksgiving. The way this Bengals offense plays, Liufau could return to that style of utilization or be made to play in coverage where he’s done better this year.
Grade: 43.3

Caelen Carson

Fifth Round
Moved to Injured Reserve
Grade: 39.7

Ryan Flournoy

Sixth Round
Inactive last week. With the condensed section of the schedule for Dallas this made sense. He may return this week depending on how the coaches want to rotate the roster.
Grade: 59.6

Brevyn Spann-Ford

UDFA
Last week saw Ford play over 30 snaps on offense as the TE2. He was used mostly as an extra run blocker and was targeted zero times in the passing game. Luke Schoonmaker took the targets at tight end. This week we should see the return of Jake Ferguson, which could change things for the group. Other than that, Ford will keep his dual role on special teams where he’s proving to be a standout player there.
Grade: 57.6

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals

Amarius Mims

First Round
The man mountain from Georgia was highly sought after in a very talented offensive tackle class. The Bengals offensive line has seriously struggled this year though. For Bengals fans this is nothing new as the line has always been an area overlooked by the front office. In terms of Mims rookie season, he’s allowed the fourth-most pressures among rookie tackles this year and his run blocking is best described as up-and-down.
Grade: 59.3

Kris Jenkins

Second Round
The young defensive tackle out of Michigan has played in rotation at the position in ten games for Cincinnati this year. He’s registered one sack and one tackle for loss, along with 23 tackles. If Sheldon Rankins is unable to play this week expect to see Jenkins take on a heavier workload. This Cincinnati defensive line has struggled all season.
Grade: 52.2

Jermaine Burton

Third Round
Burton has four receptions this year on offense. In the last three weeks he’s been used on kick returns, but the results have so far been mixed. His best return came last week against Pittsburgh where he went 38 yards.
Grade: 62.4

McKinnley Jackson

Third Round
The Aggies defensive tackle has been used sparingly in rotation this year. He’s registered no sacks and only four tackles.
Grade: 39.0

Erick All

Fourth Round
There looked to be something exciting going on with All at the start of the season. The Iowa Hawkeye tight end went three consecutive games making four receptions each game. But then from Week 4 he managed only 77 receiving yards and was then placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Grade: 59.9

Josh Newton

Fifth Round
Newton was thrust into the starting lineup over time due to injuries at the cornerback position. He started his first game last week against Pittsburgh and had a nightmare. He allowed four receptions off six targets for 96 yards and had a passer rating allowed of 109.7. This doesn’t help a defense that’s allowed the most receiving yards in the last three weeks.
Grade: 58.9

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images