The Dallas Cowboys have Joseph Randle as the starter in training camp and he is a strong fantasy football draft option this season and this comes as players like Byron Jones, Terrance Williams, La'el Collins and Randy Gregory have impressed in camp so far out in California and those players could get significant time on the field moving forward.
The Cowboys let DeMarco Murray walk in free agency this offseason and they did that with confidence that Joseph Randle could step up. The team signed Darren McFadden in the offseason and while some thought he could challenge to start, it has been clear that Randle is the top back on the depth chart. While it helped that McFadden has been dealing with hamstring issues this offseason, Randle has been working with the first team offense the entire time and reports have the job as "his to lose," according to the Dallas Morning News.
The Cowboys offensive line is considered to be one of the best in football and that is another reason why the team felt comfortable letting Murray go. Many expected the Cowboys to sign a major free agent running back or to draft one, but the team only added McFadden this offseason. Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson are also on the roster with Lance Dunbar and they are depth options behind Randle and McFadden. Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas writes that Randle could see between 15-20 touches per game and should be "fine" replacing Murray.
Randle showed some flashes last season, putting up a solid 343 yards on just 51 carries, giving him a 6.7 yards per carry average. Randle had nearly twice as many yards last season as he did the previous year on three more carries and he could be a strong fantasy option for owners this year. McFadden is coming in dealing with a hamstring injury and while he played in all 16 games for the first time in his career last season, injuries are always a concern with him.
The offense should be strong again this season with Dez Bryant coming back on a major contract and Terrance Williams could be a sleeper for Tony Romo at WR. Cole Beasley and Williams are solid options behind Bryant and Williams comes in after putting up 37 catches and 621 yards in 16 games last season. According to ESPN Dallas, wide receiver coach Derek Dooley said that he is expecting Williams to make a "big jump" after how he looked in the offseason. Randy Gregory could get a boost to start the season with Greg Hardy out and the Dallas Morning News reports that Gregory looked "fast" in camp.
The Cowboys have some young players pushing to start, as Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas writes that Byron Jones could start this season over Morris Claiborne. Jones was a first round pick and he has been looking "solid in camp" this summer. Collins is another name to watch. Collins worked in the first team offense in the offseason and the Dallas Morning News reports that he is competing with starter Ron Leary for the left guard position.
Check here for more on the Dallas Cowboys training camp and for more on Randle and McFadden.
