Dream Cowboys draft target openly flirts with team on social media

Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys
Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys / Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages
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The NFL Draft will be here before we know it. Last week, the Dallas Cowboys finished meeting with prospects at The Star. History suggests the Cowboys will draft multiple players whom they met with. If those visits were any indication, offensive line, running back and linebacker will be attacked early in the draft.

Given what the Cowboys lost in free agency, it's very possible they come away with two offensive lineman in the first three rounds. That will hinge on how the draft board falls, but perhaps a more interesting debate is when Dallas should take a linebacker and running back.

Running back is the more pressing need after Tony Pollard signed with the Titans, but the second round might be too early for fans' liking. The Cowboys own the No. 56 overall pick in round two and several mocks have them drafting Texas rusher Jonathon Brooks with the selection.

The Brooks-to-Dallas buzz will likely only grow louder between now and draft night, but another RB could be in the mix in the second round. That player is Florida State's Trey Benson, who was one of Dallas' 30 visits.

It appears Benson wants to come to Dallas. The young RB liked a post from a Cowboys fan account on Twitter (or X) that showed him photoshopped in a Cowboys jersey.

Florida State RB Trey Benson flirts with Cowboys on social media before NFL Draft

A former Oregon transfer, Benson was only a starter for two years at Florida State. However, he proved in that sample size that he can be a three-down back in the NFL. Between 2022-23, Benson ranked in the 100th percentile in missed tackles forced per attempt, the 91st percentile in yards after contact per carry and 94th in zone grade, according to Pro Football Focus' advanced stats.

Over his final two collegiate seasons, Benson rushed for 1,896 yards and 23 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per attempt. Benson's nose for the end zone would be a welcome sight in Dallas after the offense struggled to punch in the rock on short carries last season. His 23 TDs lead the ACC over that span and are ninth-most in the nation.

With a 4.39 40-yard dash, Benson has elite speed in the open field. Many experts believe Benson relies on his athleticism more than his vision to create rushing lanes. That will have to change in the NFL, but he has a number of tools working in his favor, including fantastic contact balance, vertical jump-cut ability and the power to find success between the tackles.

The Cowboys sorely need a RB with Benson's profile. After free agency, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn sit atop the running back depth chart. In a perfect world, Dowdle would be Dallas' third option and Vaughn wouldn't even make the 53-man roster.

Benson alone won't save the RB room, but he'd be a plug-and-play option and bring a needed jolt to the running game. Based on his recent social media activity, it seems the former Seminole would relish the opportunity to play for the Cowboys.

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