OXNARD, Calif. - What a difference a week makes.Undrafted rookie receiver
After a week of two-minute drills, team drills and a scrimmage, the undrafted 5-8 rookie enters the first preseason game against Oakland as a legitimate candidate to be the Cowboys’ third wide receiver.
He said his mind is now “totally focused on football.”
The SMU product’s sure hands and knack to get open, along with
“I was excited either way just to play in the first NFL game and see what it’s really like,” Beasley said. “Now, I’ll just get to go with the big dogs maybe a little bit and see how fast it is and see how much different it is from college.”
Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said he’s seen a different player since Beasley returned from his hiatus. The rookie’s having fun, not as worried and not as overwhelmed, according to Robinson.
Beasley shined in two-minute drills this week, catching multiple passes, including a diving touchdown grab and a one-handed reception across the middle. He’s made an impact on Robinson, who’s anxious to see the free agent wide receiver against the Raiders.
“He's stepped in there and made plays when he has had an opportunity,” Robinson said. “He's smart. He knows what he's doing.”
Beasley said he feels more confident he can compete in the NFL after going through preseason workouts and drills. He said he feels like the coaches trust him and put his brief leave of absence behind.
“Them putting me with the ones kind of shows I’ve done some things and that they’re confident in me and confident I know what I’m doing,” Beasley said.
Robinson is looking for one receiver to emerge from the hodgepodge of players competing for the third spot behind Austin and Bryant. He said three-year veteran
Beasley will have his first opportunity to boost Robinson’s confidence Monday against Oakland, a chance the receiver said he’s “really amped up” for.
“I just want to show that I belong and that I can make plays and play at this level,” Beasley said. “And show them that being small doesn’t matter.
