Ezekiel Elliott
(Ohio State: 6'0, 225LBS, projection: 1st round): In his 2015 season with the Buckeyes Elliot ran for 1,821 yards with an average of 6.9 yards per carry. He scored 23 times making him one of the most dynamic and clutch running backs out of this draft class. Elliot is the only back with a first round grade attached to him because he is that dominant and productive compared to the others, he also has back to back 1,800+ yard seasons. The Cowboys should be looking at Elliot hard as he is set to be this year's Todd Gurley. My only argument with this pick is that the Cowboys have so many other pressing needs that are seemingly more important. If Hargreaves, Bosa, and Treadwell, are off the board first the Cowboys should jump on Elliot, he will be a franchise changing running back.
Derrick Henry
(Alabama: 6'2, 242LBS, projection: 1-2 rounds): Henry is one of those running backs that could go either way in the pros. Now don't get me wrong he is the best running back in college football the question remains whether or not he could be effective on an NFL level. He had an absolutely earthshattering season, he recorded 395 rushing attempts, 2,219 yards, and 28 touchdowns. The only drawback to all of this would be the amount he was utilized and how that could affect his body as he transitions to the pros, also he averaged 5.6 yards per carry. If the Cowboys want to they can wait on Elliot and pick up Henry either in the beginning of the 2nd round or trade up a bit before. This would give the Cowboys a chance to draft a Joey Bosa or Vernon Hargreaves III while taking a player that can contribute to filling one of the key needs on your roster.
Alex Collins
(Arkansas: 5'11, 218LBS, projection: 2nd round): Collins is a Razorback and we all know how much Jerry Jones loves his Razorbacks. With McFadden finishing 4th in rushing amongst running backs he could potentially carry the load again, so drafting the hottest Arkansas running back playing right now would make sense. Collins rushed for 20 touchdowns, 1,577 yards, and averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his 2015 season. Collins is very consistent as he has recorded 1,000+ yards and averaged over 5 yards a carry for the last 3 seasons. Collins is likely the safest bet to be a Cowboy, even if they sign a free agent running back.
Kenneth Dixon
(Louisiana Tech: 5'10, 212LBS, projection: 2nd round): Dixon is a suitable running and passing threat. In his 2015 season he recorded, 1070 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns on the ground, and 7 touchdowns through the air. Dixon saw just under 200 carries and has averaged 5.1 to 6.1 yards per carry for the last 4 seasons; he also has a receiving touchdown in each one of those seasons. Dixon is a bit smaller than Collins but appears to be an active threat in the passing game. Dixon should go late in the 2nd round which means the Cowboys could potentially trade back to grab him and add some picks along the way.
Jordan Howard
(Indiana: 6'1, 225LBS, projection 3rd round): Howard is the least impressive of the running backs on this list and should go in the 3rd round. He does have back to back 1,000+ rushing yards in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In 2015 he averaged 6.2 yards a carry but only recorded 9 touchdowns. He will be an option if the Cowboys decide to not spend a first or a second trying to find a future for their running back position.
