Rookie Profile: Marist Liufau, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Welcome to the Rookie Profile: Marist Liufau, a linebacker out of Notre Dame. He is from Kalihi, HI, and was a 3-star recruit from Punahou High School.
Liufau kicked off his college career in 2020 for the Fighting Irish. He appeared in 8 games racking up 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. His career nearly ended before it gained any momentum as his entire 2021 season was lost due to a preseason ACL injury.
He would return for the 2022 season and would play in 13 games. He posted 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
His final college season would see nearly identical production except for an increase to 3 sacks. After the 2023 season, he opted to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft and will wait to see where his NFL journey begins.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 3 Pick 87
- The Lions had a gift from the heavens fall into their lap in the sixth round. Some experts had him ranked inside the top 100 prospects, for him to slip to almost pick 200 is a minor miracle.
- This isn’t a great sign for his fantasy value as the Lions have almost nothing invested in him and for 31 other teams to pass multiple times is worrisome. In the end, Wingo is a massive upside pick and could prove to be the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft. Only time will tell if that will translate to a consistent role and fantasy value.
Landing Spot- Dallas Cowboys
- This could be a dream landing spot for a defensive lineman. The Detroit Lions have been looking to bulk up on the defensive line all offseason and Wingo could be a great player to pair with superstar Aidan Hutchinson.
- Wingo will have to earn his way into a starting role, but he certainly has the talent to do so if he can crack what is now a formidable-looking defense.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Developmental Linebacker
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Liufau, an angular linebacker, possesses boundless energy but sometimes his impatience can lead to mispositioning. He demonstrates a robust short-area burst and a readiness to engage downhill, effectively utilizing his gaps. However, he occasionally moves prematurely, resulting in being caught behind second-level blockers or misjudging the play’s direction.
On third downs, Liufau adds value as a spot dropper, showcasing keen field awareness, and he may possess sufficient man-coverage skills to occasionally match up against larger slot receivers. While he may not have the instincts for consistent tackling at the professional level, his attributes suggest he could be competitive as a nickel linebacker, with the added benefit of contributing to special teams as a Day 3 draft selection.
Liufau has some upside for fantasy but will likely have to make his way onto the field through special teams. It’s not an insurmountable mountain to climb, but it’s certainly not a smart bet for fantasy. I’m going to pass on him for the immediate future.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
