DALLAS — The on-field offseason workouts are just beginning for the Dallas Cowboys, who held their rookie minicamp last week. It was the first time that the coaches got a chance to see what their incoming class can offer based on the team’s programs.
Despite the practices basically being walkthroughs, there were a few young players who made an impression. That’s good news for a team that’s going to need their youth to bring some juice to the upcoming season after a quiet offseason from the reigning NFC East champs.
Here are some of the news and notes that came out of the Cowboys’ rookie minicamp:
An unknown name emerges
The Cowboys brought in 20 rookies during draft weekend when they selected eight new players and added 12 more undrafted free agents. However, one of the biggest stories came from a quarterback who was participating on a tryout basis.
Northwest Missouri State QB Mike Hohensee made a strong impression on Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy over the course of the minicamp, giving the team something to think about.
It’s rare that an unsigned player gets that type of praise, but Hohensee stood out during the few days of workouts. With three strong options currently on the roster, Dallas isn’t in the market for a QB, and the team isn’t expected to sign him, but Hohensee might be a name to remember as the offseason moves on.
Young offensive line earns positive reviews
Remaking the offensive line became one of the primary objectives this offseason when the team lost veterans Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz in free agency. To combat those defections, the Cowboys drafted three new pieces to help rebuild the line. First and third-round selections Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe were the featured attractions at the minicamp, and seventh-round pick Nathan Thomas was part of the rookie group as well.
As expected, Beebe was lined up at center and Guyton at left tackle. Beebe was working at a new position, where he reportedly looked comfortable, while Guyton’s work ethic in anticipation for minicamp was praised.
Prior to camp starting, Guyton said he rented an Airbnb in Dallas to start working out with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather because he “couldn’t wait to get up here. …You can sit at home for two weeks, or you can get to work.”
That’s a great attitude and shows why the Cowboys felt comfortable selecting the inexperienced tackle in the first round.
Rookies proving to be quick learners
The young group made a great overall impression on McCarthy, who praised their ability to soak up the knowledge from meetings and transfer it onto the field, while also putting in the extra time to understand the installs, which is one of the areas that can sometimes slow the progress for young players.
It’s not easy for rookies to comprehend the new schemes they’re being taught. Coming from college and having a quick transition from being drafted to on-field work in just a few weeks is a challenge, but it’s something the Cowboys’ class handled by all accounts.
That bodes well for this rookie group as they try to adjust to life in the NFL.
Vets making headlines too
It wasn’t just the rookies who were providing the headlines, McCarthy and management gave some updates on a few veteran affairs as well.
Ezekiel Elliott is back, and McCarthy said he looked like the same player but the team doesn’t expect the same workload that he had the first time around. McCarthy expressed his desire to spread the carries around, calling the position “running back by committee.” That’s good news for those fearing an RB past his prime would be getting the lion’s share of the carries but bad news for those hoping that the team had a solidified option at the position.
There’s no movement on any of the big three contracts, but Stephen Jones reiterated a desire to get new deals done. Jones said he “absolutely” believes quarterback Dak Prescott can lead them to a championship, yet there’s been no progress made on a deal with his franchise QB in the final year of his contract or All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb who is exiting his rookie deal. With other high profile WRs in the market for a new deal, the Cowboys seem content on seeing one of the dominoes fall first before the Lamb talks heat up. Meanwhile, perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons is also due for a new record-breaking deal without any movement at the moment.
In other contract news, all rookies have been signed except for second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland. There’s no word on what’s holding the deal up, but it usually has to do with some of the language used in the contract and the Cowboys tend to have one of these issues to resolve every year.
Which rookie do you hope steps up the most for the Cowboys in 2024? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
