Dallas Cowboys rookies signed and sealed; now it’s time to deliver

Darius Jackson, Running Back

The drafting and subsequent signing of Darius Jackson is a bit of a head scratcher for Cowboys fans. He’s one of six running backs currently on the roster; this will of course change in the coming months of course though.

• Ezekiel Elliott – 4 year deal, $24.96 million, $24.5 million guaranteed
• Alfred Morris – 2 year deal, $3.5 million, $1.8 million guaranteed
• Darren McFadden – 2 year deal, $3 million, $200,000 guaranteed
• Darius Jackson – 4 year deal, $2.4 million, $100,356 guaranteed
• Rod Smith – 3 year deal, $1.58 million, $5000 guaranteed
• Lance Dunbar – 1 year deal, $1.25 million, $100,000 guaranteed

With Ezekiel Elliott’s the only mega deal among running backs, it’s clear that the back up positions are wide open. Any one of the other backs could be cut this season without significant impact to the Cowboys cap. It’s all to play for for Darius Jackson.

Rico Gathers, Tight End

The Dallas Cowboys chose to spend their final draft pick of the 2016 draft on a basketball player. Rico Gathers was an influential power forward for Baylor Bears but opted to switch focus to a career in football.

In recent years the Cowboys have spent late draft picks on players with traits. Power, size, athleticism. While Gathers doesn’t have footballing experience he certainly has those traits.

Next: Which Cowboys sixth round rookie will start first?

Signing a four-year deal valued at $2.4 million, Gathers may not be one that impacts the team this season, but he’s a great big lump of clay that the coaching staff will be eager to start molding.