The Dallas Cowboys have surprisingly pushed the envelope adding to their defense since the offseason started. Of course, that opens the door to question why they haven't improved the offense, in which they have far more money invested.
While Dallas signed running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, it wouldn't surprise at all if only one of them makes the 53-man roster. That will hinge on how many RBs the Cowboys take in the draft and if they potentially sign another vet before training camp.
If nothing else, the Williams and Sanders signings confirm the front office will target a running back early in the draft. While both are nice complementary backs, neither is RB1 material. But how high will Will McClay and Co. be willing to take a new RB1 for Dak Prescott?
According to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., extremely high. In his latest mock draft, Kiper has the Cowboys taking a running back with their first-round pick.
Cowboys select UNC running back Omarion Hampton at No. 12 overall in Mel Kiper's new mock draft
For the second mock draft in a row, Kiper projected UNC running back Omarion Hampton to the Cowboys with the 12th overall pick.
"No change on my Cowboys pick projection from my last mock draft," Kiper writes. "Hampton actually firmed up his first-round case at the combine, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and leaping 10 feet, 10 inches in the broad jump. He is a home run hitter who could spark something in this Dallas running game, which has been dormant for the past two campaigns. The Cowboys averaged 4.0 yards per carry over that time, tied for fourth worst in the league."
Many teams view Hampton as the clear RB2 in the class behind Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, who went No. 6 to the Raiders in Kiper's mock. Hampton has the skill set to be an immediate workhorse in the league. The problem is using the No. 12 overall pick on a running back in a ridiculously deep class.
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Hampton would be a fantastic get at pick No. 44 in the second round. It's doubtful he makes it that far, but myriad other good RBs could be available. Whether it's Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, R.J. Harvey, Kaleb Johnson or Dylan Sampson, this draft is loaded with potential round two picks.
The same can be said about the third round and even day three if the board doesn't fall kindly for Dallas. If the team strikes out on a running back in the first three rounds (remember it doesn't have a fourth-round pick this year) it could justify using two fifth-round picks on the position.
While Hampton is a terrific prospect, it would be careless to take a RB at No. 12. If anything, the Cowboys should trade back twice in round one and draft Hampton in the 20s.
What makes Kiper's Hampton pick even more puzzling? He passed on Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who fell to the Broncos at pick No. 20.
The consensus is that teams aren't as high on McMillan as the draft community, but it feels like a case of overthinking a really good player. At 6-5 and 215 pounds, McMillan has the ideal body type to deploy opposite CeeDee Lamb. He can bring down jump balls and stretch the field and he has the body control and toughness to make tough catches in traffic.
The Cowboys should run to the podium if McMillan is available at No. 12. That probably means Hampton won't wear a star on his helmet, but the war room could easily pivot to a running back with any of its remaining picks.
Taking Hampton over McMillan would be a huge mistake.