The Dallas Cowboys have not invested much draft capital on running backs in recent years, leaving them barren for talent and productivity in the 2024 campaign.
FRISCO — The running back position has become one of the more complex talking points around the NFL in recent seasons. Fiery debate exists around the approach to the position with various teams finding success in different strategies around the league.
The Baltimore Ravens chose to invest in the position with the acquisition of Derrick Henry in the offseason, who now leads the league in rushing yards this season. The San Francisco 49ers, while at their best with Christian McCaffrey, have utilized rather unknown pieces like Jordan Mason and maintained a formidable ground game.
Around the league, late-round picks like Braelon Allen and Bucky Irving have shown flashes in the early stages on their respective squads. One way or the other, these teams have some sort of approach. Committee work or individually shouldered load, most teams seem to have employed a strategy.
The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, did not. Certainly they "took action" by reuniting with Ezekiel Elliott and giving Rico Dowdle his shot on the 53-man roster on a consistent basis.
However, the team let Tony Pollard walk in free agency, did not expend a draft pick on a running back and has not yet tried to elevate Dalvin Cook from their practice squad. Altogether, the image presents a picture of a team that was extremely ill-equipped from the jump.
Certainly that strategy fits nicely in the Cowboys' "blow it up" plan, but they need to retool at the running back position in a big way once that comes to fruition. Dallas has not expended a pick on a running back in four of the last five drafts, the lone exception coming in the selection of Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round in 2023.
They selected Pollard in 2019, but with him now gone have nothing to show for that pick.
Evidenced in their management of Henry's free agent period, it seems Dallas seems most interested in finding their ideal back in the draft. A fine mindset, but they have to pull the trigger.
Many fans and experts are saying the same thing about a solution … and have already begun connecting them to Boise State star Ashton Jeanty with their first-round selection. Jeanty would be a fine choice and a respectable one if the team opts for the "best player available" approach.
Perhaps its Jeanty or a player found elsewhere in rounds 2-4. Nonetheless, the Cowboys must invest some capital into fixing this spot. Right now, league-worst marks across the board are simply not acceptable.
The backfield of Elliott and Dowdle has 11 games to prove their worth, but may not have the capacity to show more than they already have. Regardless, it is time for the Cowboys to reset.
