The Dallas Cowboys entered the free agency frenzy like they always do. While every other team makes big moves, the Cowboys never seem to get in the mix until days, even weeks later. While Dallas finally got into the mix with the signing of Eric Kendricks, the team has seen two key players from their offense go elsewhere. Tony Pollard was one of those big names as he heads back home to Tennessee on a 3-year deal.
With Pollard gone, the Cowboys now have a glaring need at running back. Some believed they would look at Derrick Henry, but he ended up in Baltimore. With Austin Ekeler now in Washington, Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia and Joe Mixon in Houston, the running back market is worryingly thin.
Dallas did flirt with former Colts standout Zack Moss, but he went to Cincinnati for $8 million on a two-year deal. That is cheap but Jerry and Stephen tried to be cheaper and it backfired. There have also been rumors about the team being interested in A.J. Dillon but there has been no movement there.
If the Joneses are not willing to give that kind of money to RB who was a backup for Jonathan Taylor, then they just might not be able to sign any running back in free agency that could start right away. Rico Dowdle is a free agent as well but there has been no indication Dallas is looking to bring him back. The Cowboys may very well have an entirely new backfield behind Dak Prescott.
Therefore their best shot at finding a replacement might be in the NFL Draft. The running back draft class for this year is not as deep as past years, but there are still some prospects who should go in the early rounds.
It might be a reach for the Cowboys to pick a running back at 24 when they could probably wait until the second or third round. However, when you have to replace a starter who contributed heavily over the past five years sometimes you have to take that risk.
1. Trey Benson, Florida State
Benson might not have cracked the 1,000-yard rushing mark during his two years as a starter at Florida State, but he comes into the league with less wear and tear. He did average 5.8 yards per carry along with 14 touchdown his senior year, helping lead the Seminoles to the ACC Championship. However, a lot of credit went to his team's defense and quarterback play before the starter got hurt.
Benson will be one of the first running backs to go but could be an option by the second round for Dallas. Based on his size, he could be an every-down back which would bode well for Dallas. The team has not had an every-down back since Ezekiel Elliott in his early days. While running backs do age quickly leading to less value at the position, Benson could be a good fit if Dallas wants to find a day one starter in the draft.
Benson could arguably be considered the best running back prospect in the draft. If the Cowboys want to ensure they at least find a starter in the draft they feel confident can be one, he looks like the best bet. While the team could still utilize Deuce Vaughn and Dowdle if they bring him back, Benson has the durability to stay on the field for most plays.
2. Blake Corum, Michigan
Why not look at the running back who helped lead his team to the National Championship? Corum is fresh off leading a ground attack that kept Jim Harbaugh's offense balanced. He was an All-American his senior year and posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Corum was also a touchdown machine in his three years as a starter with 56 of them.
Along with Benson, Corum should be one of the first backs to come off the board in the draft. A 5'8", he is more of a shifty back who is going to use his speed and quickness to burst through those holes made by the offensive line. Corum might have been the go-to back for the Wolverines, but in the NFL he might not turn into an every-down back. Most teams go with two-back systems because they want to use a back with power to soften the defense, then use a speedy back to get those quick yards on a run.
Despite his size, Corum should be on the Cowboys' radar if no other back is signed during free agency. Corum could bring in some of what Pollard used to bring to this offense. However, it is hard to seem him being an absolute day one starter. Dallas would have to bring in at least one other veteran back to compliment Corum. Even if the Cowboys feel that might be the case, if he slips to the second or third round they should call.
3. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Brooks is rated as the best running back prospect according to most, but any team who takes him may be taking a risk. Brooks tore his ACL in a game against TCU and was lost for the rest of the Longhorn's season on their way to the College Football Playoff. Before the injury, Brooks looked like the best back in the country. He rushed for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Texas back did not participate at the combine due to his injury which leaves him a question mark to most teams. Drafting a player coming off a major injury in college is a huge risk, but Dallas has done it before. They drafted Jaylon Smith in the second round in 2016 after he suffered an injury in his last college game and would not play until 2017. While Smith had his moments, most consider him an underachiever due to suffering that major injury.
While Brooks has had more time to heal, he might not be ready to hit the ground running. Since the Cowboys could be looking for their new starting running back in this year's draft, that would not bode well for them. However, the upside is there. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein even compared him to fellow Texas back Jamal Charles. Not a bad player to be linked with due to the success Charles had in Kansas City. Brooks also benefited from not being the bell cow back for Texas during his playing days there, which could help extend his NFL career.
Brooks to the Cowboys makes sense in many ways, but the injury could steer them away. He will most likely not go in the first round maybe the first two rounds. One way or another, some team will take a chance on him so why not Dallas. If the Joneses take a chance on Brooks and he has a solid rookie season replacing Pollard, It could be the steal of the draft.
Like the scenario if they were to take Corum, the Cowboys should still get another back in case Brooks is not healthy enough to start by week one. Despite the bad signals, Jerry is a gambler and taking Brooks would not be surprising.