The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best cores in the NFL, but they'll need recent draft picks to contribute in a big way if they are to get back into playoff contention. The 2024 draft class in particular will hope to follow in third-round pick Cooper Beebe's footsteps after his promising rookie year at the center position.
Not much was said about fellow third-round pick Marist Liufau, but he was among the biggest winners from OTAs and minicamp and looks primed to take the league by storm in year two.
Liufau wreaked havoc as a blitzer in Dallas' final minicamp practice. Tommy Yarrish of the team's official website had him down for two pressures that would have been sacks if it was a live game situation. With no contact allowed, Liufau had to pull up before getting home.
Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau looks primed for a year two breakout
New defensive coordinator Marr Eberflus sparingly blitzes his linebackers. However, Liufau showed flashes in that role as a rookie and may force Eberflus to buck that trend.
The Notre Dame product compiled 1.5 sacks, 12 pressures and 10 hurries on just 40 true pass-rush snaps, per PFF (subscription required). He finished the year with a 65.6 pass-rush grade. Only DeMarvion Overshown tallied more pressures than Liufau among Cowboys linebackers.
Liufau played in all 17 games, but finished 11th on the defense with 520 snaps. He was a part-time player as he acclimated himself to the NFL. That figures to change in a big way under Eberflus.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that Liufau will man one of the two starting linebacker spots. Trade acquisition Kenneth Murray currently has the green dot as the play-caller, but Jack Sanborn is arguably the better complement to Liufau's heat-seeking missile play style.
Liufau produced 50 tackles in just nine starts with two forced fumbles to boot. He has an unteachable nose for the ball and brings an explosive downhill element the Cowboys have needed in their linebacker room for years.
Cooper Beebe has understandably been tabbed as the team's breakout player, but it would not surprise at all if Liufau joins him in blossoming into a star in 2025.
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