NFL teams are getting a look at the latest crop of rookies to enter the league. One head coach is already preparing to put his fresh draft picks through extra reps.
The Dallas Cowboys are looking for a return to the playoffs after missing out on the postseason for the past two seasons.
However, in order to reach that point, head coach Brian Schottenheimer says the draft picks need to work harder on their conditioning.
‘None of these guys are in great shape right now,’ Schottenheimer told reporters.
‘You might have saw a few guys getting sick yesterday. A little bit of vomiting going on.’
It’s not an uncommon situation for players getting used to the league, considering they’d been spending the weeks after the end of football season to prepare for specific Scouting Combine and Pro Day drills.
Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said his rookies aren’t ‘in great shape right now’
Rookies likely haven’t taken part in full-on workouts in months, due to the draft process
But rookies like Malachi Lawrence (57) have all summer to get in shape for Schottenheimer
After those displays, alternate workouts have been planned and prospective picks spend time flying from place to place for various team visits.
It all leads up to Draft Day – where players find out their new homes – before they eventually fly out to settle in.
Schottenheimer has gone the route of getting his players in shape sooner than expected.
‘Schotty says the Cowboys have truly started putting their rookie class through the conditioning paces this weekend, to get them NFL ready now, not later,’ Cowboys reporter Patrik Walker said.
Rookies will continue to go through minicamp until the preseason organized team activities (OTAs) take place in June.
July will mark the start of training camp before preseason games begin in August.