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As with many drafts, the Cowboys 2024 draft class was met with a fair amount of criticism. From the project player at left tackle, to the surprise pick at defensive end to the utter disregard for the running back position, analysts had a hard time thinking of good things to say about Dallas’ draft. It seemed as if the only draft pick that was universally garnering praise from fans and media was the selection of Cooper Beebe at 73.
It was immediately revealed the Kansas State guard was slated to move inside to play center for the Cowboys. With 2023 starter, Tyler Biadasz, off to the nation’s capital to play for Dan Quinn’s Commanders, Dallas had a vacancy in the middle of their offensive line. It seemed like a plug-and-play move for the Cowboys and their popular rookie.
Standing in Beebe’s way at OC was Brock Hoffman, the top reserve center from 2023. The third-year veteran started two games for the Cowboys last season, offering noble effort but producing somewhat pedestrian results. Those outside the organization viewed Hoffman little more than a reserve lineman going forward. The former undrafted free agent didn’t have the natural gifts of someone like Beebe, therefore seemed unlikely to stand in the rookie’s way in his bid for a starting job.
Those inside the organization saw thing differently. While Beebe is looking relatively good and putting in all the necessary work as he converts to OC, the starting job is clearly Hoffman’s to lose.
Beebe may still have the higher ceiling as an OC prospect but it’s Hoffman who has the higher floor. His experience snapping the ball, reading the blocking assignments and executing his blocks put him in a much stronger position than the rookie. And since the difference between a positive play and a negative play often comes down to a single block, the more polished player makes sense.
Pass protection is widely seen as a single point failure system on the football field. All it takes is one single breakdown, one poorly executed play from someone, and the entire thing can go up in smoke. Even if everyone else on the line is executing their assignments perfectly, only missed assignment can ruin it all.
What many don’t realize is the run blocking aspect of the game is similarly a single point failure system. One poor run block can blow up an otherwise perfectly executed play just like in pass protection. On plays with zero negatively graded run blocks, NFL teams are averaging a 60.2% success rate. Their expected points on those plays averaged a staggering +0.27 EPA. On running plays with one or more negatively graded blocks the success rate falls all the way to 25.7% with a -0.27 EPA.
Dominance and highlight reel pancakes are great in run blocking but just by avoiding mistakes an offense can completely shift their fortune. It certainly makes the case for safer and more polished option over the more volatile counterpart, doesn’t it?
Beebe still deserves to be a celebrated pick. He may even lay claim to the starting job at some point this season. But Hoffman is showing that a full year of work in the system has value and if that leads to more mistake-free play, the numbers show it’s well worth a starting role.