FRISCO, Texas — It is in all probability only a coincidence, however Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe and Caelan Carson are positioned subsequent to one another contained in the Dallas Cowboys’ locker room.
In Sunday’s season opener on the Cleveland Browns (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox), the three rookies will begin: Guyton at left sort out, Beebe at middle and Carson at cornerback.
Linebacker Marist Liufau is on the opposite facet of the locker room, possibly 50 ft away. Relying on the package deal the Cowboys open with towards the Browns, he can be the fourth rookie starter.
Of their historical past, the Cowboys have by no means had 4 rookies begin in Week 1, although twice they began three (2002, 2020).
Some coaches is likely to be reticent to begin rookies. Not Mike McCarthy, who was in his first yr in 2020 when CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs and Terence Steele began the opener.
“Sure, now we have younger gamers,” McCarthy mentioned. “It is going to be their first NFL sport, their first for lots of issues. Their first NFL sport, their first NFL highway sport. So all that applies, and we have to ensure we’re prepared and believe that we are going to be.”
Final yr’s draft class mixed for 3 begins, all from first-round defensive sort out Mazi Smith. This yr’s draft class may surpass that Sunday.
When the Cowboys took Guyton within the first spherical, he was anticipated to begin virtually instantly, contemplating the departure of eight-time Professional Bowl left sort out Tyron Smith in free company. The trail to middle for Beebe, a third-rounder, was a bit extra unknown as a result of he had by no means performed the place earlier than.
Liufau’s efficiency in preseason video games, coupled with a hip damage to DeMarvion Overshown (who was already getting back from a torn ACL in his left knee that value him his rookie yr), pushed the third-rounder up the depth chart.
For Carson, a fifth-round choose, being a contributor on particular groups and sub packages was the expectation, till All-Professional cornerback DaRon Bland wanted surgical procedure on his left foot to restore a stress fracture.
“Should you make it larger than what it’s, then it will be a giant second for you,” Carson mentioned. “However I do not attempt to make it a giant second. Simply, it will be another sport. I have been enjoying soccer all my life, so I really feel like nothing modifications. Simply extra individuals. Tv. On the finish of the day you have been doing this since you have been 5 years previous.”
However not towards the extent of competitors the rookies are about to see Sunday.
Guyton will match up towards Myles Garrett, who was named the NFL’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months in 2023. Garrett is the one participant within the NFL with no less than 14 sacks in every of the previous three seasons.
Guyton’s work in observe towards move rusher Micah Parsons has helped, and he had extra time to arrange for Garrett since it’s the first sport.
Guyton insists he isn’t nervous.
“I’ve simply by no means been a nervous man,” he mentioned.
Why not?
“Preparation,” he mentioned.
Cowboys guard Cooper Beebe’s prospect profile
Try a number of the high school highlights for brand spanking new Cowboys guard Cooper Beebe.
Beebe will probably be tasked with making the right calls towards a coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who likes to dial up a great deal of stress. He began 48 of 51 video games at Kansas State at guard and sort out. The one begin he has made at middle got here within the preseason towards the Las Vegas Raiders.
Having Professional Bowl guards in Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, in addition to quarterback Dak Prescott, will assist him.
“The nice factor is [Prescott] is my final corrector,” Beebe mentioned. “If he sees one thing totally different than I do, he can all the time appropriate me. That is one of many issues that provides some confidence. I can go up there, give a degree, and I do know I’ve a verify and steadiness to get us proper.”
Liufau’s verify and steadiness is veteran center linebacker Eric Kendricks, together with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
“Particularly for me, Coach Zim would simply say, ‘Simply reduce it unfastened,'” Liufau mentioned. “Let him do the considering, and once we get to sport time, simply go on the market and have enjoyable.”
Carson had a formidable coaching camp and not too long ago switched his uniform quantity from 41 to Deion Sanders’ iconic 21 as a tribute to the Cowboys legend.
“All respect to him, although,” Carson mentioned.
No matter quantity he selected, the Browns have been doubtless to take a look at him as a result of he is a rookie enjoying reverse Diggs, the Professional Bowler who’s getting back from a torn ACL in his left knee.
At occasions, Carson will match up towards broad receiver Amari Cooper, who ought to have further motivation enjoying towards the Cowboys, since they traded him to the Browns for a fifth-round choose in 2022. However the rookie is staying even-keeled.
“He is an awesome receiver,” Carson mentioned. “Nothing extra. Nothing much less.”