IRVING, Texas – This weekend's rookie minicamp provided a first look on the field at all the new draftees, undrafted rookies and workout players hoping to get noticed, as well as some select first-year pros.
Two weeks after hearing their names called in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Cowboys' selections appeared together on the field with Cowboys jerseys and shorts to give their first impressions as a group.
Some of those draftees stood out more than others, as was the case for the other 40 players on the field, comprised of undrafted rookies and select veterans.
Thursday's rainy weather held off for the rookie minicamp to commence as planned on Friday without field conditions playing a part in inhibiting performances. The DallasCowboys.com staff took a look at which new players stood out the most during the two days and four practices.
Most Noticeable Draft Pick:
Nick – The first guy that stood out to me this weekend was B.W. Webb. The fourth-round pick looks smooth in his backpedal and just looks like he's NFL-ready. That's not something you'd always expect from a small-school player. But he competes well in pass coverage. He could be battling for playing time right away.
Bryan – The one player that stood out for me this weekend was cornerbackB.W. Webb. The movement skills he showed on film along with his quickness showed up in this camp. I will be very interested to see how he responds when this squad gets completely together and how he does covering guys like Bryant and Austin that are going to make covering that much difficult than the receivers that he is facing now. There is no doubt of his talent.
Rowan – If for nothing else than the fact that he towers over most other players at his position or on the outside, the most noticeable was Gavin Escobar. These rookie minicamps are perfectly suited for his talents. His best attribute is his pass-catch ability, and he demonstrated that while running routes.
David – The guy I had my eyes on the most was J.J. Wilcox. I wanted to see how he handed a professional minicamp with just one year of safety under his belt, and he didn't disappoint. Wilcox seemed to show good instincts. He also got in on the biggest hit of the weekend when he and running back Kendial Lawrence collided during a scrimmage.
Most Noticeable Rookie Free Agent:
Nick – The guy I noticed was Jakar Hamilton,but not for a great reason. He was throwing up on the side field right off the bat. But he's looked pretty good in his coverage skills. He has a fluid motion to him. Looks like a guy who started his career at Georgia, more than someone who went to South Carolina State. Which of course, he did both.
Bryan – I really like what I have seen overall all of safetyJakar Hamilton. Things didn't start out well for Hamilton on Friday morning but he fought through the practice and bounced back nicely in the afternoon. With the two practices on Saturday he was once again around the ball and not only showed some range in the team periods coverage wise but when he had to go one-on-one with Gavin Escobar he was able to get the job done position wise.
Rowan – Kendial Lawrence looked shifty, demonstrated an ability to catch the ball and caught my eye out of the backfield. Granted, he's not getting tackled. But the running back from Missouri looks like a player that should be able to compete for a role on the team after a solid final year in college.
David – I kept having to look at my roster to figure out who No. 14 was. But Eric Rogers looked solid in the wide receiver spot. Behind Terrance Williams and Jared Green, who were expected to stand out, I thought Rogers had a strong weekend among the receivers.
Nost Noticeable Workout Player:
Nick – Hard to say you notice these guys. But Adrien Spencer will be my pick because when I first noticed him, I thought he was a little Anthony Spencer, only to find out they are really brothers. But I watched him practice and he's got some skill. He's also coming off an Achilles injury, but looked pretty smooth.
Bryan – Jason Garrett spoke about guard D.J. Hall, but defensive tackle Nick Johnson deserves some consideration to being added to this roster for training camp this summer. He has been able to make plays against Frederick and Leary when he has faced those matchups. With Brian Price now on injured reserve they are going to need to add some help inside so he might be a good fit. [embedded_ad]
Rowan – Most of the attention naturally goes toward the seven draftees. But occasionally, a player will come down with a pass or bat a ball and garner some looks. Wide receiver Antoine Hicks joined the rookie minicamp after most of the workout players, but in one day at camp he made an impression by getting separation and fighting for the ball.
David – Dominique Whaley was only at minicamp for a day, but he showed up looking the part of an NFL running back. He looked good in no-contact drills, and he showed some sharp hands.
