It’s hard to get a sense on just how much OTAs matter. Any time players are at the facility and working, it’s at least a little notable – it’s the first real chance to see/read about how the rookies look, or what the vets have improved on during the offseason.

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Still, as most people point out, it’s just OTAs. Guys are running around in shorts and t-shirts, which doesn’t exactly equate to meaningful football. And a lot of the highest-profile players don’t even show up, and if they do, they’re certainly not going at 100%.

There’s never a bad time to hop on the hype train, though, which probably explains why Bleacher Report put together a big list of rookies that are already making headlines during their first few weeks of organized activity in the NFL. And the best news? A Cowboys player – at an important position, no less – made the list.

Cowboys rookie Jay Toia could already be making a real push for Mazi Smith’s job

“The Cowboys chose UCLA’s Jay Toia in this year’s seventh round. The 6’2”, 342-pound rookie is a powerful, old-school nose tackle capable of eating up blocks, resetting the line of scrimmage and allowing those around him to make plays while he does the dirty work … The Cowboys coaching staff has already taken notice of his effort and skills by giving him “repeated work” with the first-team defense, according to Tim Hamm of Athlon Sports. Again, no team is running in full pads yet. Players are constantly being rotated into the mix. Where Toia actually stands won’t be determined until live sessions during training camp.”

Like Bleacher Report mentions, it’s just OTAs. Depth charts aren’t official, and no one’s ever made or broken their career after a few days hitting the sled in shorts.

The fact that Toia is playing well, apparently, is worth celebrating – the Cowboys desperately need a lift at that position – but it’s probably best for everyone’s collective sanity if the assumption isn’t that they’ve already found Mazi Smith’s replacement just yet.

But the fact that a Cowboys’ seventh-rounder is already making news shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s not like Toia’s some top-50 pick who’s expected to be a Day 1, three-down starter right away.

A good majority of seventh rounders don’t even end up making the team. If Toia can come out of the gate and immediately impact, in any meaningful way, it’s an objective win for Dallas even if it means bad news for Smith. But we’ll cross that bridge if and when the time comes.