Addressing The Running Back Position

[DTown214]

Running the ball was such a huge part of our success in 2014 and I'm curious to see what everyone thinks we should do with the running back position heading into the offseason. The way I see it, these are our options...

-Re-sign Lance Dunbar and Robert Turbin and lean on McFadden as the lead back.

-Draft a RB early in the draft (1st or 2nd round) such as Derrick Henry or Ezekiel Elliott.

-Draft a RB in the mid-rounds (3rd/4th/5th) such as Alex Collins, Devontae Booker, Kenyan Drake, or others.

-Take a flyer on a RB late in the draft and hope he pans out.

-Go after an established veteran RB in free agency such as Matt Forte or Arian Foster (could cost a lot of $).

-Go after a smaller-name RB in free agency on a cheap deal such as Tim Hightower or James Starks.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Hello Running Back position.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Running the ball was such a huge part of our success in 2014 and I'm curious to see what everyone thinks we should do with the running back position heading into the offseason. The way I see it, these are our options...

-Re-sign Lance Dunbar and Robert Turbin and lean on McFadden as the lead back.

-Draft a RB early in the draft (1st or 2nd round) such as Derrick Henry or Ezekiel Elliott.

-Draft a RB in the mid-rounds (3rd/4th/5th) such as Alex Collins, Devontae Booker, Kenyan Drake, or others.

-Take a flyer on a RB late in the draft and hope he pans out.

-Go after an established veteran RB in free agency such as Matt Forte or Arian Foster (could cost a lot of $).

-Go after a smaller-name RB in free agency on a cheap deal such as Tim Hightower or James Starks.

Yes, draft a RB.

 

[phildadon86]

Offer Lamar Miller the same contract we were going to give Demarco and call it a day. A 1-2 punch of him and McFadden would be deadly. Miller was underused and doesn't have a lot of mileage compared to other backs coming into FA. He also has home run speed, can catch, great in pass protection and can grind out yards and tire out defenses. Hes literally a better version of Murray. Give him the 6 mil a year and don't look back.

 

[Doc50]

Running the ball was such a huge part of our success in 2014 and I'm curious to see what everyone thinks we should do with the running back position heading into the offseason. The way I see it, these are our options...

-Re-sign Lance Dunbar and Robert Turbin and lean on McFadden as the lead back.

-Draft a RB early in the draft (1st or 2nd round) such as Derrick Henry or Ezekiel Elliott.

-Draft a RB in the mid-rounds (3rd/4th/5th) such as Alex Collins, Devontae Booker, Kenyan Drake, or others.

-Take a flyer on a RB late in the draft and hope he pans out.

-Go after an established veteran RB in free agency such as Matt Forte or Arian Foster (could cost a lot of $).

-Go after a smaller-name RB in free agency on a cheap deal such as Tim Hightower or James Starks.

The smart money is on youth at RB in the NFL. As the mileage increases, the productivity and reliability decreases from wear and tear.

We were lucky on Murray and D-Mac -- unlucky on Dunbar and stupid on Randle.
It would be wise to steer away from anyone whose tread might be starting to wear -- just wouldn't be worth the risk.

We'll get a capable RB in the draft, and bring in a few UDFA's. The reputation and potential of that back will depend on our board, and how the draft unfolds. I doubt we choose to pick one in the first or second round, unless a high-rated prospect falls to us.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

If we can stay healthy, I really like our RB situation next year with McFadden as the starter, Turbin as the #2 RB and Dunbar as the #3/passing down back. I would want to get McFadden 15-20 carries a game, Turbin 5-10 carries and Dunbar to get at least 5 touches (run or reception) a game.






YR

 

[percyhoward]

Mid-rounder (or cheap FA) who's dependable, fits the scheme, and can pass protect.

 

[Vinnie2u]

We not spending money on expensive RB Free Agents. Look who's the RB are for the Final 4.. Nobodies and a rookie for Arizona.

 

[Floatyworm]

We need some fresh blood no doubt.......Middle round pick please.....Kenyan Drake, Dunbar, Mcfadden

Hold off until 2017....That class is gonna be loaded w/ high class RBs

 

[StarBoyz83]

Theyll draft a Rb in the 2nd or 3rd and defense with the other 2 picks.

 

[Dwight]

Offer Lamar Miller the same contract we were going to give Demarco and call it a day. A 1-2 punch of him and McFadden would be deadly. Miller was underused and doesn't have a lot of mileage compared to other backs coming into FA. He also has home run speed, can catch, great in pass protection and can grind out yards and tire out defenses. Hes literally a better version of Murray. Give him the 6 mil a year and don't look back.

Just curious, but why would Dallas offer Miller the money that was offered to Murray last season? Miller's production does not even match nor does it comes close to Murray's production in 2014.

I dont want Miller but if the team does offer him a contract it should be on the same level of McFadden or slightly above that.

 

[chicago JK]

I will go on record this franchise would be making another poor calculation if their plan is to bring back McFadden, Dunbar and adding a round three running back or later in the draft. This franchise finally found a way to win with an elite QB...ugh. Find a running back who can continue get tough yards and allow us to make big plays in the passing game. A dominant run game gave us the opportunity to make more big plays due to our ground control game.

To go into next season with McFadden, Dunbar and an unknown round 3 running back will be yet another reason why this franchise always seems two steps behind.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

We not spending money on expensive RB Free Agents. Look who's the RB are for the Final 4.. Nobodies and a rookie for Arizona.

Great point.

I'd love to see the Cowboys sign Miller (from Miami) but they aren't dropping $6 mil a year on the guy.

Have one guy McFadden, earning like a mil a season with half the carries and Miller (or Ivory) getting the other half? No.

I think they wait and see who isn't signed quickly in FA and sign someone cheap and then draft a guy in rounds 3 or 4.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I hope they don't waste a top pick on a running back. I wouldn't even consider one until the 3rd and that would be pushing it. No need to spend high resources on something that was not an issue in 2015. Cheap FA or mid to late round pick and move on.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I will go on record this franchise would be making another poor calculation if their plan is to bring back McFadden, Dunbar and adding a round three running back or later in the draft. This franchise finally found a way to win with an elite QB...ugh. Find a running back who can continue get tough yards and allow us to make big plays in the passing game. A dominant run game gave us the opportunity to make more big plays due to our ground control game.

To go into next season with McFadden, Dunbar and an unknown round 3 running back will be yet another reason why this franchise always seems two steps behind.

Tell me again what round the last "bell cow" back we had was drafted in? You know the one that got the tough yard and allowed us to make big plays in the passing game

 

[Vinnie2u]

Round 3-4 is The Running Back Goldilock Zone.

 

[bodi]

I think they could get Jordan Canzeri, RB, 5-9 #195 Iowa and Dunbar's Replacement in the 6

 

[fredp22]

Zeke

He's to talented to pass on and behind our line he could be very good. Has speed and power, can block, can catch.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Tell me again what round the last "bell cow" back we had was drafted in? You know the one that got the tough yard and allowed us to make big plays in the passing game

Yep.

And what about the winning seasons in '07 and '09?

The leading rusher had less than 1,000 yards in each season.

Yes they won in '14... And at what cost? They essentially burned out Murray. Spend a 1st round pick on a guy so you can give him 400 carries and ruin the guy?

Nope. I'd go with McFadden, a 3rd rounder and an undetermined. I don't think Dunbar comes back... Can't rely on him.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Yep.

And what about the winning seasons in '07 and '09?

The leading rusher had less than 1,000 yards in each season.

Yes they won in '14... And at what cost? They essentially burned out Murray. Spend a 1st round pick on a guy so you can give him 400 carries and ruin the guy?

Nope. I'd go with McFadden, a 3rd rounder and an undetermined. I don't think Dunbar comes back... Can't rely on him.

I tend to agree. I am not sure on Dunbar, it looked like he was finally going to be used and he showed he had some skills so he might be back on the cheap. But I also think they can replace him with an un-drafted FA or late round pick. Either way, he won't break the bank and most fans wouldn't care one way or the other on him being on the team.