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Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle has had a solid season, leading the team in rushing yards and serving as the RB1. Should they extend him or draft an RB like Ashton Jeanty?
It's concerning that it took him so long to establish himself as a workhorse back. Week 14 was just his third game with more than 70% of the team's offensive snaps, and his fourth handling 19 or more touches. The Cowboys tried to get a washed Ezekiel Elliott significant snaps on more than one occasion.
Is this a coaching issue, or should the team draft a running back early in the 2025 NFL Draft?
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Should The Cowboys Extend Rico Dowdle Or Draft A Running Back?
It would be no surprise if Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones went with extending Dowdle for (relatively) cheap and stayed focused on other positions in the NFL Draft. Offensive guard Zack Martin (ankle) could opt for retirement, leaving the team with a gaping hole in pass protection for quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) when he returns.
They also have an extremely poor run defense that's allowed 4.8 yards per carry to opposing running backs this season. Those two things really can't slide. But crucially, one of the ways to take pressure off both the defense and the quarterback is to have a strong running game.
Ashton Jeanty is the best college RB since __________ pic.twitter.com/N9mnRJLjIT
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 8, 2024
Many of Dallas' struggles on offense could be solved by a strong running game. And we've seen teams with good RBs be very successful on offense implementing the "Shanascheme," which revolves chiefly around a run-heavy game plan. It's a holistic approach to winning football games.
A workhorse back helps bring consistency to the offense. Plenty of run plays help with clock management, as you can chew the seconds off as needed. Short-yardage situations can become more automatic. Defenses cheating up their linebackers to stop themselves from getting killed in the run game opens up lanes for more passing success.
Omarion Hampton is yet another reason why you don’t need to draft a RB inside the damn Top-15 (Yes Even Ashton Jeanty)
6’1” 220+ with hands and wheels. Hampton is a certified stud. David Johnson 2.0 in the making. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/NzXKvFMvgX
— Ray G (@RayGQue) December 1, 2024
Which Running Back Should The Cowboys Draft?
There's added flexibility in the draft, too. Because this is a deep RB class, Dallas could opt to draft someone like North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton. While Jeanty has been crowned as this year's RB1, it's important to step away from consensus and look at things with a wide-angle lens.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was considered the consensus No. 1 receiver from the 2024 NFL Draft class. Yes ... that didn't end up being the case. Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and even Ladd McConkey have outplayed him. Harrison isn't even the team's best pass-catching option -- that would be tight end Trey McBride, who has 35 more catches.
Below are the most productive college football running backs this season
Ashton Jeanty remains my RB1 in this class, but Kaleb Johnson & Omarion Hampton are currently projected in the +85th percentile as well (borderline top 3 in the 2025 class) 🔥🚀 pic.twitter.com/G29rKKL2QX
— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) December 10, 2024
Assuming that consensus always has to nail the No. 1 is just fallacious thinking. There are several paths the Cowboys could go here, and plenty of backs in the above picture could end up being excellent picks. RotoBaller believes Dallas should exploit this excellent crop of tailbacks and spend solid draft capital on one.
One of our favorite picks would be Hampton for his workhorse size, pass-catching prowess, excellent speed/size ratio, downhill running style, toughness, and durability. We're not as sold on Iowa's Kaleb Johnson, who's benefited from excellent run-blocking and is a clear step down in all those categories from Hampton. He doesn't have the speed or elusiveness to overcome middling offensive line play.
Our favorite dark-horse pick is Tennessee Volunteers back Dylan Sampson. He has excellent size and blinding speed and is underrated despite being the engine behind the Volunteers offense. His burst will make him a nightmare matchup for opposing linebackers in the NFL -- oh, and if you're in fantasy leagues, make sure you draft him because he's a league-winner in the right offense with the right role.
Incredible sequence by Dylan Sampson just before the half, capped off with winning a 1 on 1 battle with Danny Stutsman for the TD. 92 hard fought YDS for D-Samp. pic.twitter.com/edCNegdos5
— V͎O͎L͎d͎e͎m͎o͎r͎t͎ (@vo_ldemort) September 22, 2024
Take a close look at the second run. The burst to gain five or more extra yards with a quick burst between two crashing linebackers or safeties is an underrated quality in NFL RBs. If Dallas' offensive line can give him creases, he can punish opposing defenses. Jones should take a hard look at Sampson.
Other backs could give the team a huge boost in this class, and there is not enough time to break them all down here. But Jones should consider bolstering what has been a big weakness for his team this season with a draft pick that could bolster the team's offense in a big way.
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