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Cowboys' Marist Liufau was the perfect selection in one of 2024 NFL Draft's weakest positions

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Browning | Last updated 5/1/24

One of my favorite picks of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft came on day three.

The Cowboys desperately needed linebacker help, that is no secret.

For years they have looked for the undersized athletes, often converted safeties to play the position in Dan Quinn's scheme.

With Quinn no longer on the team, the question became, would they look for the same type of player in new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer's defense?

That answer would be no.

The Cowboys would let Jayron Kearse walk in free agency, and Markquese Bell is moving back to safety. That creates even more of a need at a position where fans were hoping to get better.

The Dallas Cowboys addressed that need by selecting Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame with the 87th pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

What does Marist bring to the Cowboys?

That's what we're here to find out. Let's dive in.

Pros

Liufau brings functional size to the modern linebacker position, coming in at just over 6'2, and weighs 234 pounds.
He is a high IQ player with very good processing ability. He is often flowing to where the ball is going before the ball carrier has chosen his gap. He reads the flow of blockers and is able to make split-second, correct decisions as to where the ball is going.
He has very good closing ability.

Marist Lifau shows his closing speed, blowing up the screen pic.twitter.com/YZ5v0l4xxp
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 28, 2024

Has a unique ability to time up the snap count and often disrupts the play before it starts.

On multiple occasions Marist is able to time up the snap count and cause early disruption, stopping the play before it starts pic.twitter.com/ItJW9HHCFt
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 28, 2024

He is physical at the point of attack, meeting blockers with a violent force, and he is often able to get off the block and help make the stop.

Marist Liufau is no slouch at the POA. Here he takes the blocker head on, is able to disengage and make the stop. pic.twitter.com/ulatXFxHc9
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 28, 2024

Cons

Marist's overall strength right now is a question mark. There is no questioning his physicality and his willingness, but there are times when he is simply overmatched by offensive linemen and unable to make a play.
His tackling could stand to improve. there are times where Marist is tackling too high or too low, and this can allow ball carriers to shake of what should be a tackle.
His overall angles to the ball carrier could improve. Marist is operating under the assumption that he is a better athlete than what his testing indicates. His 10 and 20-yard splits are average while his 40-yard dash time is still good; matching up with his film of his closing speed, being better than his overall speed.
Overall an average athlete

In Conclusion

In my eyes, this is the perfect Cowboys selection in a weak linebacker class. Marist has the tools and traits that present starting upside. His weaknesses, outside of being an average athlete, can all be fixed or coached. Marist can provide immediate special teams help, and in a perfect world is starting by year two or three.

It was a good pick and a good value pick.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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