Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: 5 Players to watch during rookie minicamp

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:59 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jimmy Long/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Jun 14, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers (80) makes a catch during minicamp at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys will kick off their rookie minicamp on Friday, May 12. Here are five players to keep your eye on over the course of the weekend.

Okay. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. Football is back — well, sort of. Rookie minicamp offers us the first chance to see the newest members of the Dallas Cowboys on the field. Though we won't be able to see a lot of it, reports from the media and Dallas Cowboys insiders should give us a strong glimpse of what's happening around The Star.

Rookie minicamp will begin on Friday and last the entire weekend, closing Sunday afternoon. It will feature all the players drafted by the Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, as well as those they signed in college free agency. Plus, players such as Jaylon Smith, Charles Tapper and Rico Gathers, who essentially "redshirted" their rookie years, are also eligible to participate.

The Dallas Cowboys have perhaps one of their deepest rosters in recent years, so there will be plenty of positional battles to enjoy during the remainder of the offseason. What's more, there's hope that several participants at rookie minicamp and offseason workouts can break out and be pivotal components of the defending NFC East Champions. Rookie camp should serve as our first glimpse into some of those battles and potential breakout players.

With our first player to watch, we'll be jumping straight in to those battles.

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) reacts after a touchdown catch in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ryan Switzer, WR/KR

Our first player to watch is Ryan Switzer, the small, shifty wide receiver out of the University of North Carolina. At 5-10, he'll be one of the smallest receivers on the Dallas Cowboys roster. In fact, the only player shorter than him is the guy we love to compare him to: Cole Beasley.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Switzer makes this list because it'll be very intriguing to see how the coaching staff plans to use him. No one questions his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. He may even be better than Beasley in that regard.

But the truly interesting thing about the Cowboys new Switz-Army-Knife is his versatility. In college, he was one of the most prolific punt returners in NCAA history. That's a role he should be able to earn in Dallas. Which brings us to one of the biggest positional battles: Switzer vs. Whitehead.

Ryan Switzer can do everything Lucky Whitehead can do and more. Lucky is primarily used on kick returns and jet sweeps, both of which Switzer had experience with in college. Factor in that Switzer is already a better true receiver than Whitehead, and it's clear that the writing is on the wall for number 13.

Time will tell if Switzer can be jack-of-all trades weapon the Dallas Cowboys drafted him to be, but minicamp should be our first chance to get an idea.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chidobe Awuzie, CB

Up next on our list is Chidobe Awuzie, the second round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys. It was a pleasant surprise when Awuzie was on the board for Dallas at 60th overall, as many analysts thought he would go earlier.

The Cowboys like Awuzie because of his versatility. Sensing a theme here? In his post-draft interview, Chidobe ("Chido") said that he discussed player corner, slot and safety when he visited Dallas. He certainly has the talent.

That versatility is exactly what has landed Chido on this list. It will be very interesting to see where the coaches decide to line him up. Because, realistically, they could use him at any spot in the secondary. That tends to be the case when you lose three starters and a pivotal backup in one free agency period.

Personally, I like him best as an outside corner, especially considering the Cowboys have talented players to fill their other holes. However, the coaching staff may feel differently, and rookie minicamp should give us an idea of how they plan to utilize the talented defender.

Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) prepares to throw the ball in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Raymond James Stadium. The Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

3. Austin Appleby, QB

The Dallas Cowboys have expressed interest in adding another developmental quarterback behind Dak Prescott. Currently, there are two players on their roster that fit that bill: Austin Appleby and Cooper Rush.

Both quarterbacks were added in college free agency, and both have legitimate chances of being the backup to Prescott should Dallas want to move on from veteran Kellen Moore. However, Appleby is my personal favorite to earn the backup spot.

As one of two quarterbacks attending the Cowboys rookie camp, Appleby should get plenty of chances to impress the coaches. At Florida, I thought he showed a strong arm and ability to make professional style throws with anticipation. He also can move around the pocket pretty well.

On the other hand, there have been questions about his accuracy, especially when the defensive lineman get in his face. All the physical traits are there, and with time and coaching, Appleby could be an excellent backup quarterback.

With all that said, quarterback should be the most interesting battle of rookie camp. Both of the contenders for the backup spot are eligible to attend. Whoever impresses the coaching staff more between Appleby and Rush will likely get the first crack at stealing Moore's job. Let the quarterback games begin.

May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Tapper (79) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Charles Tapper, DE

Charles Tapper was the first of two fourth-round selections for the Dallas Cowboys just over a year ago. The second, Dak Prescott, is now the future face of the franchise. So, while Tapper may not live up to those lofty standards, he should prove to be a valuable piece of the defensive line.

Tapper missed his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with Pars Defect in training camp. He spent the majority of the year on injured reserve and didn't make it on the field once. That makes him eligible to participate in the Cowboys rookie minicamp this year.

One of the exciting things about Tapper is his speed. We all know that 40-times don't directly translate to success on the gridiron, but Tapper's was pretty impressive. At his Combine, he ran a 4.59-second 40. For those keeping score at home, that is faster than Myles Garrett. Just saying.

Couple his speed with a year of teachings from Rod Marinelli though, and you have the makings of a scary pass rusher. Tapper himself thinks he could put up double digit sacks this season. That's a lofty goal, and we should probably pump the brakes a little. But it's hard not to get excited about the prospect of Tapper developing into a bonafide stud at pass rusher.

May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers (80) during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1. Rico Gathers, TE

Most fans of the Dallas Cowboys know about Rico Gathers now. When the team drafted him last season, he hadn't played a down of football since high school. He was a star in college basketball, but making the transition back to football was always going to be a stretch.

That's why he is going to be a very fun player to watch in this years minicamp. Gathers is only eligible because he doesn't have any accrued seasons. Much like Tapper and Jaylon Smith, Gathers never saw the field during his true rookie season. Though he was healthy, he spent all season learning on the practice squad.

Despite all his obstacles, by the end of the year he was Tony Romo's favorite target on the scout team. Jerry Jones even referred to him as "unguardable" in the team's post draft press conference. He'll likely have to beat out either James Hanna or Geoff Swaim to actually make the game-day roster, but it sounds like he has a solid chance of pulling that off.

Rookie minicamp actually gives him an advantage over his veteran counterparts. He's going to get an extra week of work with the coaches that Swaim and Hanna will not benefit from. That should only help his case.

Keep in mind that college hoops players have found NFL success before, a la Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates. Will Rico Gathers become the next player on that list? Rookie minicamp should help us answer that question, or at least start to.