Expectations for the 2019 Dallas Cowboys are sky-high. The front office has constructed one of the most talented rosters in the league, they have energized an otherwise predictable offense, and they are aiming to get past the divisional round, which they haven’t been able to in their three playoff appearances in the last five years.

This year’s training camp was going to be important to watch because the offense was getting a makeover. A part of this makeover was understanding how new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore would use his personnel. Of all the new players making their case for playing time, rookie running back Tony Pollard seems to be doing the best job.

USA Today’s Jori Epstein caught up with members of the Cowboys and checked in on the progress of the Memphis product.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones had some very positive notes after the Cowboys’ annual Blue-White scrimmage.

“Pollard really showed the ability to plant quick, plant his feet and his quick feet,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the scrimmage. “He is obviously about as smooth an athlete and certainly a running back. You saw the flexibility.

“If he continues to get better and better and better, which he’s got to, I think you are going to see a guy who plays early for the Cowboys.”

While Pollard was drafted with a premium fourth-round pick that doesn’t always guarantee playing time. Pollard’s play in training camp has been important to him and the Cowboys, who could find themselves without their All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott to start the season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott commented on Pollard’s ability to quickly adapt to instruction.

“When we’re in the offense, we’re in the offensive units, we’re in the team meetings and Coach calls him out on his responsibility, without a hesitation he’s getting it right. That’s what you want to see from a young guy. That’s what the players and coaches want to see, and he’s been delivering.”

Prescott was on point with that last remark as head coach Jason Garrett was also complimentary of Pollard following Sunday’s practice.

“He’s handled a lot of information on the offensive side of the ball…really well. He, too, is someone who continues to play fast. He doesn’t look like he’s not playing to his speed because he is thinking too much.

“Coming out of school, he just was a football player. You saw it on tape, you saw him run inside, you saw him run outside, you saw him return kicks. He did a lot of different things. With all the young players, you try to expose them to different parts of your team. … At some point with those guys you say, ‘OK, let’s focus more on this and less on this.’

“But he’s a young player and we need to find out about him and how he can handle all these different situations. He’s made a lot of strides in a week’s time.”

Pollard’s intelligence, natural athleticism, and versatility should be a big weapon for the Cowboys. Not only is Pollard used as a running back, but he lined up as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Tigers. Executive vice president Stephen Jones made a point of identifying his ability to play in the slot.

In his time at Memphis, Pollard amassed over 2,200 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in three years. In addition, he tallied over 2,600 kick return yards and seven kick return touchdowns.

Elliott’s absence is allowing Pollard more looks with the first team, and that could translate to finding things in the offense that are designed specifically with Pollard in mind. With the way he is turning heads at camp, the coaching staff will now try to come up with more creative uses of the rookie to impact the game.