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What are the impressions of Cowboys rookie mini-camp? Let's take a look.
The Dallas Cowboys finished up their rookie mini-camp on Sunday. Let's take a quick look around to see what impressions were made.
Zack Martin is starting off at right guard, and along the way had some good battles with UDFA Davon Coleman, according to Bryan Broaddus.
There were some really nice battles during these practices between guard Zack Martin and defensive tackle Davon Coleman, which gave you an indication of how well Martin handles quickness right off the snap. Coleman tested him plenty and that was a good sign.
Broaddus has praised the quick first-step of Coleman.
Second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence missed the first day, but the coaches liked what they saw once he did get here.
"He’s got good stuff," Marinelli said. "I think he's really smooth. He's got a great feel for a reaction to movement. That's what I look for, that's something you can't test, you got to see it. He's strong in here, pad level gets down, smooth, really, really good instincts, that's our job to build on it. He's going to be a big boy, a big man."
Anthony Hitchens is trying to get used to a new position and the new responsibility that comes along with it. Although he's not necessarily locked into that role.
Hitchens moved to inside linebacker after playing on the weak side at Iowa, where he led the Hawkeyes in tackles his last two seasons. He now has to call the defenses, call the checks and communicate with the entire group.
"It's a different mentality," Hitchens said. "I haven't done it since high school, so it's different. I've got to get adjusted to it. I don't talk much so it's bringing better out of me. I get better by talking about it more."
Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus said he was drawn to Hitchens' movement skills and hitting ability.
"We'll see exactly where he fits," Eberflus said. "Right now we've got him at the Mike. He could end up at [strongside] or he could end up at [weakside]."
At the wide receiver spot, Davin Street has received praise from most that have seen him. Basically a smooth route-runner with good hands and the ability to play outside or in the slot. Broaddus had some thoughts on the other WRs at the mini-camp.
L’Damian Washington was much better after the first practice, where he wasn’t nearly physical enough. Not really sure how reliable his hands are? If there was a bit of a disappointment, it was Chris Boyd. The year off from football didn’t help him at all, but after watching his tape from Vanderbilt, I did expect more.
That's too bad about Boyd, but maybe after a little time back in football he'll get back in the groove. The Cowboys feel that the trouble he got into at Vanderbilt isn't really his true character, they are comfortable with that side of things. His football skills should make him an interesting prospect.
From a pure football perspective, Boyd is an intriguing prospect. He’s 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and was clocked in the high 4.5s and low 4.6s in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, which was held off campus hours after the Vanderbilt pro day from which he was banned. He caught 81 passes for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Vanderbilt and felt like he was coming into his own last summer before his dismissal.
He could be a find for Dallas if he can recover his game.
The Cowboys recently signed Ryan Williams at running back, meaning someone had to go. That someone was UDFA running back Glasco Martin. Broaddus likes UDFA RB Ben Malena, praising his toughness and movement in space.
Here's a little more on guys Broaddus liked.
I really liked what I saw from tackle Jarrod Pughsley from Akron. I had heard rumor that he might be a guard when we open camp in Oxnard, but he looked plenty comfortable play tackle – as he did in college... Keep an eye on Brian Clarke from Bloomsburg, who lined up at guard. Physically, he is not the biggest guy at 6-2, 299, but there is some nastiness to his game. He is one of those guys that battles to the echo of the whistle.
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