Inactivity in free agency has left the Dallas Cowboys with plenty of holes on the roster, but none more glaring than the running back position. While Sam Williams, Mazi Smith, Brock Hoffman, and Jalen Tolbert could all be possible replacements for player departures this offseason, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, and Deuce Vaughn haven’t shown the capabilities of being an impactful starter running the rock.
The team clearly knows it has to select its next starter at some point in this draft and they are hunting running backs in different rounds if their 30 visits list is any indication of their intentions. The team has five confirmed prospects on their list, and the players range from some of the top backs in this class to likely Day 3 options. Their skill sets vary from big-bodied to explosive runners, along with more all-around options. The plan in the running back room will be refined depending on the back they take select in the draft. He could be the future at the position or a new member of a committee.
Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) jumps over Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Pearson (21) for the first down in the third quarter during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. This game makes up the119th rivalry match up.
Jonathon Brooks is one of the few backs in the draft who can make a run game successful regardless of the players around him. He doesn’t need an offensive line to open holes for him or a passing game that opens up the rushing attack for the offense. Brooks will make guys miss on his own, run through arm tackles, and breakaway when he gets to the second level. He was stuck behind great backs at Texas until last season, so he has fresh legs coming into the NFL. As long as his comeback from injury doesn’t set him back, he will be a game changer for a team this season.
Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State running back Trey Benson (RB04) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The definition of a big-play machine, Trey Benson has run for a touchdown of over 80 yards, has a TD reception over 80 yards, and a kick return over 90 yards. Benson has the look of a problem when he walks off the bus at 6-foot and 216 pounds of sculpted muscle, but he hasn’t shown great instincts as a rusher. If his mind ever matches his ability, he could end up being the best back in this class. Improved on third downs, both his blocking and receiving have been upgraded over his time in college. His ability would have him as a top 50 prospect, but his processing and injury history could drop him out of the second round of this draft.
Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (RB02) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Braelon Allen is a running back enigma who looks like he would run like Derrick Henry but has a style more akin to Le’Veon Bell. It isn’t that Allen can’t be physical, but he isn’t a bruiser when he carries the football. Allen might be best served to drop some weight and play quicker, then to try and become a rusher who drops his shoulder and goes through defenders. Confusion over his style, injury issues, and a fumbling problem could drop him out of the second round, but his size and ability likely land him somewhere in the middle of Day 2.
Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (RB30) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Wright is a speed merchant who does an excellent job of beating defenders wide, killing their pursuit angles with all-world burst that creates big plays. He led college football in yards per attempt, but he was very one note overall. He has size; just look at his impact as a pass protector to see it on film, but he doesn’t use it well as an inside rusher. If he ever learns to play through contact and with more consistency rushing between the tackles, he could be the best back in the class when all is said and done.
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick (11) runs with the ball ahead of Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) after an interception in the second quarter during the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Corum has deficiencies to his game. He is a smaller back, doesn’t offer much as a receiver out of the backfield, and isn’t great in pass protection, but he has a top-tier ability when he is rushing the football. Corum has an innate ability to know where the hole will be inside, finding the right spot to attack and making a run go for as much as possible. Dallas had an issue in the redzone last season and Corum could boost it to the same degree as better offensive line play would. He holds the Michigan record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 27. He knows how to find a spot in short yardage and near the goal line.
Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) runs during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Marshawn Lloyd doesn’t have the premiere athleticism that would land him as a first-round pick, but with the right coaching he could look like a can’t-miss rusher that is drafted outside the top 100. He has excellent vision and might be the best back in the draft at making cuts and accelerating past defenders that are just out of his reach. Whomever his coach is has to get him to take what is there more often, helping him understand that gaining only three yards is better than losing a couple of yards by trying to hit a big play that isn’t there.
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving (0) hurdles over Liberty Flames defensive back Brandon Bishop (6) during the second half in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Bucky Irving is the lightning option in a thunder-and-lightning backfield but won’t be an every down option early on in his career. He is a dynamic playmaker in the run and passing game, so he will leave fans asking why he isn’t getting more touches, but keeping him from wearing down by taking less punishment will be a key to him being impactful later in the season. He is a liability as a pass blocker as well and will make it necessary for his team to have a bell-cow type back that allows Irving to be a big-play, change-of-pace back, similar to Tony Pollard for Dallas in his first few seasons for the Cowboys.
Nov 25, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisville 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Ray Davis could is a tweener back. He doesn’t have the speed to breakaway on rush attempts, but he also isn’t a power player who runs defenders over. He is a solid back that is great at being agile and getting past defenders with vision and footwork. He is at his best when he gets defenders to commit and then makes a move and gets a big play. He is ok as a receiving option and a poor pass protector, but he could be an impactful back up with his ability to carry the football.
Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) runs with the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Kimani Vidal is the type of power runner the Cowboys used Ezekiel Eliott as during his final couple seasons in Dallas. Hand him the ball on inside run plays and let him get the offense set up with manageable second or third down scenarios. He would be ideal as the inside ball carrier who wore defenses down as the game went on but came off the field in passing situations or at times when a change of pace back could be used to try to hit a home run play. A true workhorse back isn’t the standard in the NFL today, but Vidal could be a closer used to protect the smaller, big play rushers on his team.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast
2024-04-15 02:20:00
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