CFZ Running Back room evaluation

[T-RO]

Zeke has been replaced by TP as the RB1 last season. Dallas is looking for a RB2 in the draft. RoJo, Davis and Rico are competing for RB3.

Just hope McClay and company aren't looking to draft a banger as the RB2 with so many explosive runners available.

Tony is tagged. Gotta assume Pollard is gone after this season, so you target a guy who can be your #1. Think the Cowboys will snag one of the top 6 RBs, if not top 3.

 

[quickccc]

They will. It's been talked about to death the last couple of months.

It really has been talked to death .. and folks still trippin' about Pollard's injury as if it's a ACL tear or achilles tendon tear,..
Seems like some are either naive about the injury regardless of how often it has been explained ...or they are determined to dramatize and make it far more than what the injury was.
It's baffling.

- i saw the Rod Jones signing, as vet insurance in case the specific group of backs in the draft that Cowboys coveted just may no longer be there.
Despite the Jones signing, i would not think the team has determined that there will be no more longer be a search on RBs in the NFL draft.

- The common sense one would be what if Bijah Robinson actually somehow does fall into their laps in 1st rd at the 26th pick?
.. or another very highly regarded RB on their value board falls into their hands at some point of the 2nd to 4th rd of the draft ?

- With RBs in the draft, you can never count that out. They seem to drop like that every year.
I can even see the team going for another Pollard like back in the mid rounds again (4th rd) in according to their draft board.

I'll wait to see how the Malik Davis role and spot plays out. It would make sense that the team wanted a vet back to join with Pollard.
But should a regarded rookie RB drops into their folds ? yes sir , .. pull their trigger.

 

[quickccc]

Tony is tagged. Gotta assume Pollard is gone after this season, so you target a guy who can be your #1. Think the Cowboys will snag one of the top 6 RBs, if not top 3.

(sigh) Let those that chose to assume .. assume away.
They could very much assume themselves, outside Robinson, that Pollard they know up close and personal is just as explosive and impactful than the rest of the RBs in the draft

Pollard in his first pro bowl bid was clearly recognized among NFL talking heads that he's emerged in the likes of a Kamara as a break out up and comer explosive backs in the NFL. .
Now in his first year starting from Day one, we;'ll get to see under a much better scheme-design play caller that can stand out Pollard's skill set. than what Kellen could.

 

[Mr_437]

Tony is tagged. Gotta assume Pollard is gone after this season, so you target a guy who can be your #1. Think the Cowboys will snag one of the top 6 RBs, if not top 3.

That's the hope that they get a really good RB, not some complementary piece.

 

[shabazz]

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Dalvin Cook coming on board here. He’s fresh off shoulder surgery which fills one of the check marks for this FO.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Everyone knows that Zeke is gone, and Pollard has received the franchise tag. But I simply don't trust that Pollard will return to form in 2023 after the injuries he suffered in the playoff game against the 49ers. The Cowboys need to pick a RB in the upcoming draft.

Having said that, I do believe the Cowboys have signed a good player in RB Ronald Jones. Jones was the 38th overall pick in 2018 at age 20 out of USC, and has been a solid RB. For whatever reason, his workload has been relatively light, and he's only had 510 rushes in his 5 year career. But he's averaged 4.4 ypc, which is more than the Cowboys got out of Elliott last season. His best years were 2019 & 2020 when he combined for 364 carries for 1702 yards, and 13 touchdowns rushing, plus another 59 receptions for 474 yards and another touchdown. He can be a good compliment to Tony Pollard, and if Pollard doesn't come back on time, Jones can provide a rushing threat if given an opportunity.

Malik Davis played well as the 3rd RB last season, showing toughness and inside running ability. And the Cowboys have re-signed Rico Dowdle, also. Overall, if Pollard returns intact and on-time the Cowboys are not in desperate need. But the uncertainty surrounding the health of Pollard, and the fact that both he and Jones are on 1-year contracts means the Cowboys would be wise to spend some draft capital to find a long-term replacement for Zeke Elliott.

I nearly cried when the post, over and over, kept reminding us of his thin one field resume and opportunities missed.
Let's move on, shall we?

 

[gimmesix]

Draft one in rounds 2-4 this year and next and the position is completely remade for 2024.

If you don't hit on those picks, then it's remade poorly.

 

[fivetwos]

If you don't hit on those picks, then it's remade poorly.

Well yes. If you blow your draft picks problems will arise.

 

[gimmesix]

Well yes. If you blow your draft picks problems will arise.

It isn't a matter of blowing your draft picks. The percentages aren't in favor of success. We won't every third-round receiver to be Michael Gallup instead of Jalen Tolbert. We want every fourth-round back to be Tony Pollard instead of Tashard Choice. At best, you've got a 50/50 chance.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Just imagine what things look like if CeeDee or Cooks go down for the year. The depth is concerning to say the least especially when your already thin at TE

depth Is not concerning.

 

[Typhus]

It really has been talked to death .. and folks still trippin' about Pollard's injury as if it's a ACL tear or achilles tendon tear,..
Seems like some are either naive about the injury regardless of how often it has been explained ...or they are determined to dramatize and make it far more than what the injury was.
It's baffling.

- i saw the Rod Jones signing, as vet insurance in case the specific group of backs in the draft that Cowboys coveted just may no longer be there.
Despite the Jones signing, i would not think the team has determined that there will be no more longer be a search on RBs in the NFL draft.

- The common sense one would be what if Bijah Robinson actually somehow does fall into their laps in 1st rd at the 26th pick?
.. or another very highly regarded RB on their value board falls into their hands at some point of the 2nd to 4th rd of the draft ?

- With RBs in the draft, you can never count that out. They seem to drop like that every year.
I can even see the team going for another Pollard like back in the mid rounds again (4th rd) in according to their draft board.

I'll wait to see how the Malik Davis role and spot plays out. It would make sense that the team wanted a vet back to join with Pollard.
But should a regarded rookie RB drops into their folds ? yes sir , .. pull their trigger.

Absolutely, but we definetly take a RB at some point in this draft, and there will be some UDFA RBs that can push this current depth.

 

[plasticman]

Pollard broke his fibula. he may recover by the start of the season in terms of his injury healing but he won't be 100% for at least half the season of what he was before and he needs to be that.

In any case, Pollard cannot carry a larger load than what he did last season. It will wear him down, he's not built for that.

The Cowboys need to draft a RB that will be productive now and there are perhaps two maybe three of those. These days I look at rookie RB's as having a five year shelf life

 

[fivetwos]

It isn't a matter of blowing your draft picks. The percentages aren't in favor of success. We won't every third-round receiver to be Michael Gallup instead of Jalen Tolbert. We want every fourth-round back to be Tony Pollard instead of Tashard Choice. At best, you've got a 50/50 chance.

I’m not sure of your point my friend.

We need RBs. Most teams use a stable of mid round picks who play cheaply. Should we not try because they may bust?

I think it’s a better approach than a second contract to a veteran, but clearly they are going to diversify and add a rookie to Jones, Pollard and Davis.

Even then they have a decision to make on Pollard next year.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Totally agree Coach, especially with the comparison to Gallup you mention.
I made a similar post but all the CZ medical professionals showed up to insult me when I questioned the integrity of how accurate the team publicly reports return dates for players when they are injured.

It's a historical mixed bag of players returning from injury on time or not.
Or returning sooner but not being near as effective as before.

jmo

We've not done a good job of managing injuries in decades. From playing them hurt (Romo/Zeke) come to mind....to releasing information.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

We should all be happy with Pollard as RB1, 4th or 5th rounder in this loaded draft as RB2, and Davis as RB3 with Jones on the PS.

The sooner we are the team closest to the bottom in RB spending, the sooner we will be hoisting up trophies

We better fix the o line personnel and run scheme if you expect good results from this.

 

[gimmesix]

I’m not sure of your point my friend.

We need RBs. Most teams use a stable of mid round picks who play cheaply. Should we not try because they may bust?

I think it’s a better approach than a second contract to a veteran, but clearly they are going to diversify and add a rookie to Jones, Pollard and Davis.

Even then they have a decision to make on Pollard next year.

No. I'm simply saying it's a 50/50 shot. A lot of members here act like it's a sure thing. We can try to remake our RB room, but there's no guarantee it will happen, especially if we're trying it with players taken from the fourth round on.

Frankly, the chances of us finding a starting-quality back are much better in the third round than in the fourth, especially this year with the seeming deepness at the position. Pollard was a diamond among trash in the back half of the draft the year that we took him. Definitely a great draft pick, but we could have easily missed there if we'd end up with one of those other players.

 

[ghst187]

I get no one wants to spend a 1 or 2 on a RB but no way I’m passing if BR or Gibbs are sitting there. Good backs in later rounds sure but those two are in my top 5 players in the entire draft. They are game changers

 

[Aviano90]

We should all be happy with Pollard as RB1, 4th or 5th rounder in this loaded draft as RB2, and Davis as RB3 with Jones on the PS.

The sooner we are the team closest to the bottom in RB spending, the sooner we will be hoisting up trophies

Even if Pollard gives us a Randle-esque 4.1 ypc average like 2017, the bar has been lowered so much, that it should be acceptable now.

Good to see you around again. Hope all has been well, Quincy. Hopefully you've continued working out since the last time we talked.

 

[DuncanIso]

We should all be happy with Pollard as RB1, 4th or 5th rounder in this loaded draft as RB2, and Davis as RB3 with Jones on the PS.

The sooner we are the team closest to the bottom in RB spending, the sooner we will be hoisting up trophies

Davis runs a 4.6 on his best day.

 

[kskboys]

That's the hope that they get a really good RB, not some complementary piece.

Then you are wishing for the wrong thing. We need a good inside pounder, not some gazelle. Charbonnet would be an absolute beast and would change our O for the better.