The Dallas Cowboys have a number of members of their 2024 draft class in key roles this season and wish large issues from all of them. One is heart Cooper Beebe, who has already been a full-time starter however has loads of room to develop his craft. Our subsequent roster rundown profiles Beebe forward of a hopeful third-year leap in 2026.
Years in NFL: 2Acquired by: 2024 Third-round decide
Earlier than Beebe got here to Dallas, Tyler Biadasz had been the beginning heart for almost all of 4 seasons. He carried out adequately, however not sufficient that the Cowboys wished to present him a substantive contract extension. Biadasz’s rookie deal ended and he rapidly signed with the Commanders that March. Dallas didn’t exchange him in free company, seemingly content material with selling Brock Hoffman if wanted. However the potential of discovering a brand new starter within the upcoming draft was additionally there.
On the primary night time of the draft, the Cowboys traded again from twenty fourth to twenty ninth decide with the Lions, acquiring Detroit’s third-round decide as the important thing piece within the change. They used that decide to scoop up Beebe, who some felt was a steal at 73rd total. Although he performed guard in school, Beebe was touted as a possible heart and the Cowboys rapidly made it clear that they meant to play him there. It didn’t take lengthy for Beebe to be named the starter through the offseason.
Beebe completed his rookie season because the Fifteenth-ranked heart in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. He had a sluggish begin, however was doing his greatest work within the second half of the yr. Naturally, Beebe returned because the starter in 2025. His efficiency graded out about the identical, which disillusioned these hoping for second-year development. However Beebe additionally missed six video games with an ankle harm, taking him out of the lineup from Weeks 3-8. He got here again and maintained his normal degree of play, however the missed time probably performed a giant half in his not making positive factors. Beebe additionally needed to modify to a brand new offensive teaching workers final yr, which can have contributed.
Years Left: 22026 Cap Hit: $1.62 million
We’re midway by means of Beebe’s rookie deal and having fun with the financial savings that come from it. This season might be enormous for positioning Beebe for contract talks in 2027, when Dallas could look to get forward of his 2028 free company with an early extension.
Function: Beginning CRoster Likelihood: 100%
There isn’t a lot to debate right here. Beebe’s the unquestioned starter and has no actual competitors for the job. Even Hoffman’s gone now, leaving in free company to reunite with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh. The Cowboys have signed veteran heart Matt Hennessy to switch Hoffman, however he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2021. He’s a backup by means of and thru, and even his roster spot isn’t assured.
Whereas he’ll go unchallenged because the starter, Beebe will nonetheless face some scrutiny in 2026. The third-year leap isn’t solely hoped for, it’s an expectation given his hype coming into the league. And unfair although it might be, even in spite of everything these years, Travis Frederick’s shadow nonetheless looms over the middle place. The notion of Biadasz suffered from it, and Beebe will too. Anticipating him to develop into a perennial All-Professional isn’t honest, however Frederick’s excessive normal nonetheless sticks in our minds.
Beebe ought to have each alternative to enhance this yr. There’s continuity within the offensive teaching workers and in his teammates. Tyler Smith must be again for All-Professional work to his left, and we’re all enthusiastic about Tyler Booker’s second yr at proper guard. There’s even a powerful backup prepared in T.J. Bass, so guard play shouldn’t hamper Beebe’s improvement. It isn’t a leap to assume that Beebe may go from a mean starter to one of many league’s greatest in 2026.
Try our earlier participant profiles from this sequence:
