3 biggest takeaways from Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp

The Dallas Cowboys held their rookie minicamp over the weekend and while we can't really get a closer look at players like we do around training camp, there's a lot that can be learned just by listening to players and coaches talk about what they're working on and thinking ahead of the NFL regular season. 

The last few days, we've learned a good deal about both the rookies and the role of Ezekiel Elliott.

Let's dive into the three biggest takeaways from the important step of the Cowboys' offseason program. 

1. Cooper Beebe playing center is Plan A and Plan B

This isn't a big surprise but any doubt about Beebe's role moving forward has been erased. The Cowboys want the third-round pick to play center and they believe he can do it. 

"They called me right after, (OL coach Mike) Solari, and he told me straight up, he's like, 'hey, get some snaps going, you're going to play center," Beebe told reporters entering minicamp. "So I've been prepping ever since then."

"I've been part of a lot of centers that have come from other positions," head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. "He's looked good so far, I've been impressed."

Even though Brock Hoffman held his own last year when filling in for Tyler Biadasz, it's really starting to sound like Beebe is the frontrunner for the starting role once Week 1 comes around.

2. Ezekiel Elliott is not RB1

Similarly to Beebe's position, this shouldn't be a surprise but McCarthy was very straightforward when discussing Elliott's future role with the team. Different jersey number, different role:

""I don't think that's fair," McCarthy admitted to reporters when asked if he believed Zeke could be the same guy he was as before. "The guy carried the ball more than anybody in history in his first couple of years. That's not going to be his role, we're running back by committee but I think he'll definitely play at the level that he's played in my time here."

McCarthy added that in "these times," the way to go is RB by committee. Rico Dowdle is looking like the man to lead a committee in which Zeke and a third back will be getting significant playing time.

3. Nathan Thomas will also be playing guard

Cowboys' seventh-round draft pick Nathan Thomas doesn't have an easy path to the 53-man roster. He's competing with the likes of Matt Waletzko, Chuma Edoga, Earl Bostick Jr., and others for a spot on the team. His biggest calling card? Versatility. Although he played tackle at Louisiana, draft evaluators agree his skill set translates to guard.

"You have to prepare that way," McCarthy told reporters when discussing OL versatility. "That's the reality of it, because when you do have versatility if you can make those decisions early in the week on Monday, Tuesday (during the season) you have a really good chance to make sure the guys are ready to go win on Sunday."

"What makes me different is I think I can play multiple positions at a high level and on a consistent level," Nathan Thomas told reporters before minicamp.