3 surprise standouts from Cowboys minicamp (including 2 rookies)

It feels like the NFL Draft was just yesterday, and yet the Dallas Cowboys have concluded their offseason program. Even without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who's staging a contract holdout, head coach Mike McCarthy saw enough to end mandatory minicamp after two practices.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that no major injuries were reported. While players like defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith, and tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Peyton Hendershot are all nursing injuries, all four players are expected to be healed for training camp.

On the field, it's clear the Cowboys have made progress. It will be interesting to see new wrinkles McCarthy adds to the offense and how the defense acclimates to Mike Zimmer's system. In the meantime, there's a lot to be excited about. These players in particular generated a ton of buzz in minicamp.

3. LB Marist Liufau

The Cowboys turned heads when they selected Liufau in the third round of the draft. Many fans believed a running back would be the target, but it's quickly become apparent why Liufau was the pick. The former Notre Dame linebacker has a motor that can't be taught, but his eagerness to soak up Mike Zimmer's system has impressed teammate and fellow linebacker Damone Clark.

"He's a sponge," Clark said of Liufau, via the team's official website. "He asks a lot of questions. He goes out there and does everything 110 percent. He gives his all on every play, and the sky's the limit for him. Marist is going to be one of them Ones."

That last line should get Cowboys fans excited.

More notably, Liufau has already drawn praise from Zimmer himself. Liufau might be fourth in the linebacker pecking order behind Eric Kendricks, Clark and DeMarvion Overshown, but the buzz following him after OTAs and minicamp hints he'll wear many hats in Zimmer's defense even as a rookie.

2. WR Ryan Flournoy

Is it too early to call Flournoy a fan favorite? Drafted in the fifth round this year, Flournoy made a brawny impression during spring practices. His athleticism in particular has been on full display. He came down with a touchdown in team drills that generated "Dez Bryant" comparisons.

Per team reporter Patrik Walker, Flournoy made the catch look easy even though he was cloaked by his defender the entire route. In his minicamp recap, Walker called Flournoy "one of the most athletic (players) on the roster and who looks ready to make serious waves in training camp."

It's too early to say that the Cowboys got a steal in Flournoy. It's not premature, however, to say Flournoy is on his way to making the 53-man roster and potentially even forcing himself into the heated WR3 battle, if he hasn't already.

1. WR Jalen Brooks

Speaking of the WR3 competition, Brooks is firmly entrenched in that conversation. In fact, 105.3 The Fan's Bobby Belt would take Brooks over Jalen Tolbert for the WR3 spot if the season started today. Brooks stacked impressive catches in minicamp and consistently won his matchups, per Belt.

There's obviously a full training camp and preseason left, but the Brooks hype train is full steam ahead. Head coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receivers coach Robert Prince all raved about Brooks throughout the offseason program.

Brooks was largely restricted to special teams as a rookie, but he popped as a receiver in his limited snaps on offense. He notably caught four passes for 39 yards in the Cowboys' blowout Week 9 win over the Giants.

One of the biggest standouts in training camp last year, Brooks seems primed for another head-turning display in Oxnard.

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