Dallas Selects 2 Running Back Choices In The Sixth Round Of The 2024 NFL Draft…
The Dallas Cowboys will almost certainly select a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, right? If we went through all the range of outcomes, entirely passing on a running back wouldn’t be one of them. At least, that’s what many of us believe. Leaving the draft without a new running back would be a risky way to enter the new season, especially considering the team just lost Tony Pollard in free agency. They must take a running back, and the only question remaining is at what point in the draft will they do it.
This week we have been looking through the eight college running backs the Cowboys have 30 visits with as we familiarize ourselves with players whose names we could hear when Dallas makes their picks in April’s draft.
So far, we have…
Round two candidates – Jonathon Brooks and Trey Benson
Round three candidates – Brailon Allen and Bucky Irving
Round five candidates – Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Jase McClellan
Imagine if 200 picks have gone by and the Cowboys still haven’t drafted a running back. They have three picks after the top 200 (216, 233, and 244) late in the draft, but this is not where teams normally find their new starting running back. If the team has yet to take a running back by this point, what kind of options will still be available? Today, we’ll look at the final two running backs on the visitor list.
SIXTH ROUND, pick 216
Rasheen Ali, MARSHALL (draft projection = 192)
An undersized back from a small school seems like a double whammy. There will be many who question Ali’s chances of success at the NFL level, but his ability to cut and explode in the open field will have others intrigued about what he can add to the running back group. Here are my game film notes on Ali:
Speed/quickness – super quick, patient but accelerates extremely fast, he’s an up-the-gut runner as he gets it and shoots!
Vision – reads second-level defenders well, good speed in the open field
Toughness – tough player but doesn’t possess the power to run through contact, not an every-down bruiser, small 206 lbs., lacks body mass for next level, upright running style, can get blown up and lose the ball
Receiving game – offers very little in the receiving game, cannot pass protect
Best fit – zone scheme, good résumé of big running play.
Emani Bailey, TCU (draft projection = 233)
Similar to Ali, Bailey is another small back. And when you watch the film, there are other similarities as well. He offers big-play ability thanks to excellent cutting ability and explosiveness to take it to the house. Even though he’s small, he’s done a good job caroming off of defenders while extending runs.
Speed/quickness – attacks the hole quickly, effective up-the-gut runner, great cutter, shows good burst, not a raw blazer (4.61) but good game speed
Vision – good patience in zone scheme, happy feet, good vision, has a nose for creases, decisive, make-you-miss-and-go-runner
Toughness – plays with some physicality, low pad level, doesn’t go down easy, small 5’7” 202 lbs.
Receiving game – good receiver, willing pass protector, but size offers limitations
Best fit – both zone and gap schemes.
READ MORE:
Cowboys 1st 2024 Draft pick must be a Running Back…
Most of the mock drafts for next month’s NFL Draft have the Dallas Cowboys laser-focused on taking an offensive lineman.
A few have them spending both their 1st and 2nd round picks on the line for that matter. All of them are dead wrong.
Should the season start today, the Cowboys have the players on the roster to start a solid offensive line.
What they don’t have is a bell cow running back to take some of the pressure off of quarterback Dak Prescott.
And that is why Dallas should make their first pick of the 2024 Draft a running back. The only question is: Do they make him a first round selection or not?
The Cowboys’ Options
Dallas could go ahead and use their pick at 24 on a running back. They would likely be the first team to take a player at that position.
And having their choice of this year’s prospects at running back is a good thing.
There is going to be a huge early run on quarterbacks this year. Not too many of the other teams should be eying a running back in the first round either.
So, barring an unexpected run – or the Cowboys making a major move up and drafting a quarterback as explained here – Dallas has two options.
First, pick the guy they want at 24.
Or, second, trade down and pick up another draft pick or two, then take the best available running back on the board.
Personally, unless there is an unexpected run, I’m trading down to get that additional draft capital. We’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to find out what Dallas has in mind.
If Dallas holds on to the 24th pick on Thursday, April 25th, look for them to take Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.
Yes, Brooks is coming off a serious leg injury. But the surgeon who repaired the damage has given him a clean bill of health.
And the Cowboys have ties to said surgeon.
Pre-injury, Brooks was getting it done for the Longhorns. Post-injury? We’ll have to see.
But he’s definitely a back worth spending a first round pick on.
hanks to Dallas letting their starting running back go in free agency – and then not replacing him – they almost have to make this pick a running back.
And if you are one of those thinking they should bring back Ezekiel Elliott and he’ll become Elliott 2016 again then I have nothing for you.
Just go away now…
Wright had 1,888 yards over the same period. Benson did more as a receiver, but not by much.
If it comes down to a coin flip between these two players I’m leaning toward Benson.
Primarily because he played for a slightly better team – one that got shafted last year out of playing for a National title by the ridiculous Alabama bias in college football.
And there’s also watching the two players on film. Benson just seems to have an edge on Wright when I watch the two.
The Bottom Line
The Cowboys need a running back. More importantly, they need an RB1.
Whether or not it ends up being Brooks, Benson, or Wright doesn’t matter.
With their first pick in the draft – be it during Thursday’s first round or Friday’s second round – the Dallas Cowboys have to pick a running back.
And if they draft a tight end, y’all might need to start a GoFundMe for my bail money.