The Dallas Cowboys surprised just about everyone when they signed Javonte Williams to an extension before free agency. Typically content to let the market develop, Dallas flipped the script and got ahead of a running back market that predictably ballooned once the legal tampering period opened.
As we sit here today, Williams is headed for a similar workload. The Cowboys have yet to add another RB, which opens the door for Jaydon Blue to win the backup job in year two.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollowing a rookie year that can only be labeled a disappointment, it's fair to wonder how much Brian Schottenheimer trusts Blue, if at all. Well, with less than a month to go until the NFL Draft, Dallas is doing some homework on two prospects.
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Cowboys' running backs coach Derrick Foster was in attendance at Wake Forest's Pro Day to watch Demond Claiborne, who was Second-team All-ACC in his final college season after rushing for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Dallas Cowboys are doing their due diligence on RB prospects before the NFL Draft
For whatever reason, Claiborne isn't generating much buzz as we approach the end of March. That's great news for Dallas, as Claiborne is considered a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. The Cowboys only have one Day 2 selection before they pick five times on Day 3, including at No. 112 and No. 152.
The former Demon Deacon lacks ideal size at 5'10" and 188 pounds, but he has excellent long speed (4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine), which he pairs with strong vision and elusiveness. His athletic profile is very similar to Blue's. Make of that what you will.
In addition to Claiborne, the Cowboys were well-represented at Nebraska's Pro Day, with Tim Verghese of Nebraska Rivals revealing that assistant RBs coach Jamel Mutunga helped lead Emmett Johnson's workout.
Unlike Claiborne, Johnson underwhelmed in the 40-yard dash with a 4.59 time. However, he was one of the most productive offensive players in the country last season, leading the FBS with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game and ranking fourth with 1,451 rushing yards.
Johnson is a lot like Javonte Williams in that he runs to contact, as his 68 forced missed tackles last season were the eighth-most among RBs, per Pro Football Focus. He doesn't create for himself at the clip Williams does, but very few runners do.
While the former Cornhusker doesn't have great long speed, he has sufficient short-area quickness and soft hands as a receiver to contribute on third downs.
The Cowboys had already scheduled a dinner with Johnson. Much like Claiborne, he is someone to watch as April 23 inches closer. The interest in both players seems legit, and that's potentially bad news for Blue.