3 positive takeaways from Cowboys OTAs and 2 areas of concern

Positive Cowboys takeaway: Progression from second-year players

Remember in 2021 when Mike McCarthy raved about Terence Steele's progression at OTAs after a bumpy rookie year? Steele followed that with a breakout season and he's now poised to be the Cowboys' franchise right tackle.

Well, this week McCarthy raved about two soon-to-be-second-year players: Sam Williams and Jalen Tolbert. Speaking to reporters before Thursday's practice, McCarthy called Williams and Tolbert two "excellent examples" of players making the second-year jump.

Of course, Williams showed plenty of flashes as a rookie. Though part of a crowded pass-rush rotation, the 2022 second-round pick managed four sacks, nine QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 22 pressures.

It was a different story for Tolbert, who essentially red-shirted as a rookie. Though healthy, he was active for only eight games and had two catches for 12 yards to show for it.

At OTAs, though, Tolbert has stood out among Dallas' pass-catchers. Taking several first-team reps, McCarthy acknowledged that the 2022 third-rounder made impressive plays in seven-on-seven drills and the two-minute situation.