It is true, though. Zeke’s really valuable in pass protection. He’s an underrated threat in the passing game, too. Like I said, he’s an all around great player. We hit on the pick. That’s important. But the opportunity cost was the chance at hitting on a player at a much more valuable position. And the replacement cost on RB just isn’t that high.
There are roles for TEs who can block and slot backs who can break tackles and impact the passing game on every team in the NFL. That isn’t an issue in Dallas just because we also committed to spending too much draft capital and cap on a RB.
First totally respect your overall board value here and your take.
I was against drafting Zeke at 4. Wildly against it. Thought Jaylon Ramsey was 100% the Cowboys choice.
But that's a bit different than saying RB have no value or replacement value is low. It's really not.
Sure you can get a couple good seasons out of the average mid 2nd rounder.
But in a guy like Zeke you are getting consistent performance for much longer.
No waiting game on him to develop in an area like say Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey and no quick drop off like say Todd Gurley.
He's been a workhorse, a great blocker, dependable in every facet of the game.
RB specifically has become labeled as "low value" while NFL team after team has laughed at that and set new marks for pay in the last 16 months.
And those teams are built around those guys in many ways.
Even in Dallas as we shift from run first to pass we still build around Zeke's pass blocking.
On every throw of 20 plus yards it seems Zeke has his hat in a dude's chest.
And outside Aaron Donald he has handled every guy.
It's like the NBA saying C is of low value but then the final four teams include two surprises and both those teams excellent Centers in Joker and Bam.
BALT has bucked NFL trends and become a running team. So has TENN. Those teams are constant playoff threats until someone can stop their running games.
8 teams currently average less than 100 yards rushing per game.
There are no 2-0 teams with that distinction.
0-2 teams NYG, PHI, CIN, ATL. NYJ, HOU
1-1 WFT, NO
If DAL gets 85 yards rushing per game over 16 weeks and top notch blocking from Zeke they will go to the playoffs imho.