ARLINGTON, Texas — The OTAs for the Dallas Cowboys have just concluded and it was the first time the team participated in the pseudo practices. Although the on-field workouts aren’t physically demanding, this is the part of the offseason where the coaches install their scheme and see how the players adapt.
These aren’t mandatory sessions, so players aren’t required to be there. That’s good news for a few players who are skipping this part of the offseason program. The story of these OTAs for the Cowboys is almost as much about the players who aren’t there, then what’s actually happening on the field.
Here are some observations from the Cowboys’ initial OTA this offseason.
Two big no-shows
The biggest news from the week's practices was that two of the best players on the roster were not in attendance, but it looks like for different reasons. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb wasn’t expected to show up and he hasn’t in hopes of getting a new contract extension. Lamb is in the last year of his rookie contract and the All-Pro WR is heading towards becoming one of the highest-paid players at the position, but there hasn't been significant momentum on a new deal. That has led Lamb to stay away from the team workouts.
Another All-Pro who is not at OTAs is pass rusher Micah Parsons, who also continues to prepare for the season away from the team, for now. Mike McCarthy mentioned that Parsons remains in contact with the team, isn’t behind with the install of the new defensive scheme and is expected to be back with the team next week.
There’s no reason to panic about Lamb and Parsons missing the first OTA session, the players are not required to be with the team until the mandatory minicamp in early June. Both absences were expected, and the team isn’t worried about their preparation as veterans in the league.
Extra opportunities
For every rep that Lamb and Parsons don’t take, a young player gets a chance to grow.
The Cowboys need a young pass rusher to step up with Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler now in Washington. Without Parsons, third-year edge rusher Sam Williams got opportunities to work on his game, and rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland needs all the practice he can get with his raw tools. Kneeland reportedly won some reps against the first-team offensive line in the sessions.
The same can be said at receiver, where second and third-year WRs Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks got work with the first-team offense with Lamb missing. The Cowboys need a reliable third WR and everyone not named Lamb or Bradin Cooks can use more reps this offseason.
Injury returns/absences
Dallas got some players back who are recovering from major injuries last year. Although they were working off to the side rehabbing, it’s a good sign that players have responded well to their treatment and made the most of their recovery. Among the players who looked like they have put on size since last year are linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tight end John Stephens.
Team observers have also noted that Overshown has gained “12-13 pounds of lean mass” as he prepares for a larger role at LB. Both Stephens and Overshown were rookies who impressed last summer, so any size they’ve gained in their first full offseason should benefit them in the long run.
Meanwhile, second-year TE Luke Schoonmaker, who was already rehabbing off-season shoulder surgery, was revealed to also have a hamstring injury that would cause him to miss the remaining OTAs. That’s not ideal for a player who missed all of last offseason as well.
Schoonmaker wasn’t a big factor as a rookie, and it’s difficult to see him having a huge impact in his sophomore season if he can’t stay on the field. There’s no need to rush the TE back and he could still be a meaningful part of the offense, but Schoonmaker’s had his development paused in each of his first two years in the league.
Running back matters
One of the questions about the backfield in Dallas is who the starter would be if the team failed to add another RB. If OTAs are an indication, there’s no consensus as Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle split the first-team snaps.
No starter needs to be named in May, but these look like the front runners for the No. 1 RB job.
Dak contract questions
Of course, one of the topics of conversation over the OTAs was the quarterback’s contract. Prescott is still without an extension, but he didn’t seem bothered by not having a deal done yet. Speaking to the media after practice, Prescott had this to say:
“I know my business will take care of itself. Just controlling what I can control...I don’t play for money. I’ll leave that to the business people to say what it’s worth, what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play. It’s about controlling what I can control. Handle that part and everything else will take care of itself.”
That’s a great attitude, but it doesn’t mean the team and Prescott shouldn’t be working diligently on getting a deal done quickly. It would end any speculation about Prescott’s future with the team and allow them to stay ahead of the other QBs who are due for new deals. The clock is ticking.
