After the departure of DeMarco Murray last season, many thought the Dallas Cowboys would draft a top running back to replace him. Instead, the signed Darren McFadden who did have one of his better seasons in the league, but consistency is not his strong suit. With Joseph Randle released and Lance Dunbar entering free agency, will the Cowboys make a move this year to grab a top running back?
The Cowboys make their first selection at No.4. According to the Dallas Morning News, that pick will either be for a quarterback or defensive player. They do draft early in the second round which is where Dallas could make a play for a rookie running back to put in the rotation with McFadden. Ezekiel Elliott out of Ohio State made it clear that he wants to be that running back selected.
"The Dallas Cowboys (are my pick). I want to go play behind that great offensive line they have down in Dallas," Elliott said, via NFL Now.
The issue for Dallas is that a number of teams are getting linked to Elliott and someone could take the risk of drafting him in the first round leaving the Cowboys out of the mix. The New York Giants, Chicago Bears and New York Jets have all been linked to the Ohio State star. The Cowboys risk not getting him. That would leave Derrick Henry as the net-best option. The Heisman trophy winner certainly has the proven success and would thrive behind the Cowboys' offensive line. He might be rated second entering the draft, but he offers the same production Elliott does.
According to team vice president Stephen Jones, the Cowboys still plan for McFadden to be a big part of the offense in 2016. The team has confidence he can repeat the numbers he did in 2015. That means the team likely will not spend big on a running back in free agency for depth. Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory and Matt Forte have all been tossed around as potential targets, but if they still believe McFadden has a lot left in the tank, then getting a rookie is the better move.
"Obviously he had a solid year for us," Jones said via, the G-Bag Nation show. "He's under contract. We think he'll be a big part of our plans next year and we'll continue to look for some other backs to go with him. Hopefully Lance Dunbar will come back healthy as well."
One thing that should not be ruled out is a return of Dunbar. The running back was on his way to having a big year before suffering a season-ending injury. The Cowboys could try to get Dunbar on a one-year deal and see how he shapes up health wise. McFadden, a healthy Dunbar and a young, athletic rookie would give the Cowboys a deadly rushing attack in 2016.