The Dallas Cowboys gave their offensive line a big endorsement after the team opted to not draft a running back over the weekend. After losing leading NFL rusher DeMarco Murray to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys were expected to draft a top-tier back early in the NFL Draft. Instead, the Cowboys signed Darren McFadden and are putting their full faith in the former Oakland Raiders star to improve after an unimpressive start to his professional career.
Owner Jerry Jones made it clear that he has full confidence in the Cowboys' running backs heading into the 2015 season and never felt pressure to make a move for a rookie during the draft. McFadden will join Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams in the backfield and Jones feels that is enough to make up for losing McFadden.
"We would have liked to have drafted a running back, but at the same token, we didn't think at any given time that we should pass at the player that was there, even with the running backs available," Jones said, via the team's official website.
The Cowboys might not be completely done with adding running backs. Vice president Stephen Jones cited the New England Patriots added LeGarrette Blount and he turned out to be a hidden gem last season. There are not really any marquee backs on the market at the moment, but training camp could force releases that the Cowboys could capitalize on.
Conspiracy theorists might say the Cowboys are still lingering on a trade for Adrian Peterson. The draft came and went and Peterson remained on the Minnesota Vikings roster. According to the Pioneer Press, that is expected to remain heading into the season and Peterson will stay put. However, it is hard to ignore the cap space Dallas has which could easily be used for the former NFL MVP. McFadden has certainly heard all of the Peterson rumors, but told the media that he is not bothered by them.
"Coming into it, that wasn't a question I asked," McFadden said, via the Dallas Morning News. "Once DeMarco Murray was released, I felt like it was an opportunity for me step in there and try to go in and get whatever carries I could. Whether they decide to sign Adrian Peterson wasn't going to make my decision change. It wouldn't surprise me at all. I'm a guy who has been in the league seven or eight years now. You know, a team doesn't just want to put their everything on a guy that is old, or something."
The chances Dallas acquires Peterson are slim to none. McFadden is being given a second chance in the NFL, but if he struggles the Cowboys will be forced to make moves.