Cowboys might make historical past beginning 4 rookies -- Guyton, Beebe, Carson, Liufau -- versus Browns

FRISCO, Texas — It is most likely 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 deal with, Beebe at middle and Carson at cornerback.

Linebacker Marist Liufau is on the opposite facet of the locker room, possibly 50 toes away. Relying on the package deal the Cowboys open with in opposition to 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 12 months in 2020 when CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs and Terence Steele began the opener.

“Sure, now we have younger gamers,” McCarthy mentioned. “It will be their first NFL recreation, their first for lots of issues. Their first NFL recreation, their first NFL highway recreation. So all that applies, and we have got to ensure we’re prepared and have faith that we are going to be.”

Final 12 months’s draft class mixed for 3 begins, all from first-round defensive deal with Mazi Smith. This 12 months’s draft class might surpass that Sunday.

When the Cowboys took Guyton within the first spherical, he was expected to start almost immediately, contemplating the departure of eight-time Professional Bowl left deal with Tyron Smith in free company. The trail to middle for Beebe, a third-rounder, was somewhat 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 harm to DeMarvion Overshown (who was already getting back from a torn ACL in his left knee that value him his rookie 12 months), pushed the third-rounder up the depth chart.

For Carson, a fifth-round decide, 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.

“If you happen to make it greater than what it’s, then it is going to be an enormous second for you,” Carson mentioned. “However I do not attempt to make it an enormous second. Simply, it is going to be some other recreation. I have been taking part in 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 in opposition to the extent of competitors the rookies are about to see Sunday.

Guyton will match up in opposition to Myles Garrett, who was named the NFL’s Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2023. Garrett is the one participant within the NFL with at the least 14 sacks in every of the previous three seasons.

Guyton’s work in follow in opposition to go rusher Micah Parsons has helped, and he had extra time to arrange for Garrett since it’s the first recreation.

Guyton insists he isn’t nervous.

“I’ve simply by no means been a nervous man,” he mentioned.

Why not?

“Preparation,” he mentioned.

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Beebe might be tasked with making the right calls in opposition to a coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who likes to dial up a great deal of strain. He began 48 of 51 video games at Kansas State at guard and deal with. The one begin he has made at middle got here within the preseason in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Having Professional Bowl guards in Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, in addition to quarterback Dak Prescott, will assist him.

“The great factor is [Prescott] is my final corrector,” Beebe mentioned. “If he sees one thing completely different than I do, he can at all times appropriate me. That is one of many issues that offers some confidence. I can go up there, give a degree, and I do know I’ve a examine and steadiness to get us proper.”

Liufau’s examine 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 free,'” Liufau mentioned. “Let him do the considering, and once we get to recreation time, simply go on the market and have enjoyable.”

Carson had a formidable coaching camp and just lately 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 had been seemingly to have a look at him as a result of he is a rookie taking part in reverse Diggs, the Professional Bowler who’s getting back from a torn ACL in his left knee.

At instances, Carson will match up in opposition to large receiver Amari Cooper, who ought to have further motivation taking part in in opposition to the Cowboys, since they traded him to the Browns for a fifth-round decide in 2022. However the rookie is staying even-keeled.

“He is an amazing receiver,” Carson mentioned. “Nothing extra. Nothing much less.”