DeSoto’s Patrick Crayton is the biggest success story from the Cowboys’ Dallas Day workouts, which are held before each day for prospects who attended local colleges or high schools. Dallas Kimball’s Phillip Tanner is an example on the current roster of a player who caught the Cowboys’ eye on Dallas Day and kept impressing after signing as an undrafted free agent.
This year’s Dallas Day netted a pretty intriguing haul. The Cowboys signed four undrafted players from those workouts who appear to have legitimate chances to stick, whether it’s on the practice squad or 53-man roster. A look at the rookies with local roots:
OLB Adrian Hamilton: He took a twisted path from Dallas Carter High to Prairie View A&M, signing with Oklahoma State, playing briefly for Texas Tech and spending some time at a community college, but Hamilton had one the most prolific pass-rushing season in SWAC history last year. His 22 sacks broke the conference record held by Colts defensive end Robert Mathis. The knack for getting to the quarterback gives Hamilton a chance to make the team.
CB Isaac Madison: The 5-foot-10, 173-pound Madison, another Carter High product, started the last three seasons at Arkansas. He performed well enough during offseason workouts to earn some reps with the first-team nickel package with Mike Jenkins and Morris Claiborne unavailable. Madison will be fighting for the fifth cornerback job during training camp and the preseason and can help his cause by proving he can contribute on special teams.
WR Cole Beasley: The son of his high school coach at Little Elm, the SMU product is the stereotypical short, quick slot receiver. Beasley won’t earn high marks on any eye tests, but coaches can’t help but notice his tendency to get open and catch the ball. The Cowboys didn’t have a pure slot receiver on the roster last season, moving Miles Austin inside in multi-receiver formations. Beasley, who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at SMU, could give them another option.
RB Lance Dunbar: He’s a 5-foot-8, 191-pound scatback who broke North Texas' all-time records for rushing yards (4,224), all-purpose yards (5,375) and touchdowns (49). It will be tough for Dunbar to beat out Tanner for the third running back job, but the Cowboys kept four running backs at the beginning of last season. Dunbar, a Haltom High product, will have a chance to impress on kickoff returns.