Are we really better off at RB than last year?

[Techsass]

The fact that we still haven't reached a consensus on who will be our #1 RB is troubling. It kind of puts a damper on what we accomplished in the off season.

 

[BlindFaith]

The fact that we still haven't reached a consensus on who will be our #1 RB is troubling. It kind of puts a damper on what we accomplished in the off season.

What did we do? Did I miss something?

We got a decent deal on a top 15 DT.
We signed 3 jags to play guard then drafted a guard at 12.
We brought in a 1st round bust at DE, signed a pass rush only DE, signed Wheat and then spent a 2nd round pick on yet another DE.
We added a journeyman at DT and two late round DT
We added two jag LBs
We added two jag RBs and two late round guys
We added a one year rental head case WR that no one wanted

What am I missing? Oh yeah, we resigned another waste of a roster spot in Goodwin.

The Eagles are laughing at us. The Redmanders are laughing at us. Hell, the Giants are laughing at us.

Maybe ya'll dont mind being laughed at, but it pisses me off. And all it took was signing one WR for you all to go into sheep mode again.

SMH

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

Tbh I think they kinda threw a bunch of darts at the board to see which ones stick. Lots of potential in the backfield. If Williams AND Sanders return to form, that alone makes for a dynamic duo with Blue taking the top off a defense occasionally.

That is probably asking for alot. If one of the two can return to form, we still have a quality back to split time with Blue/Mafia/whoever. This would be at least equivalent to last year's attack. With the current OL and receiver corps, the offense should be in good shape.

Looking at the odds, I think this is the most likely result. They brought in vets that have proven they can play. They bought low hoping at least one of them can play in better offensive circumstances than what they had with their previous teams. Both are another year removed from injury. Maybe they never return to peak form, but 75-85% of prime from those guys should be enough to move the offense.

If both of those guys struggle, I think that is when we need to reconsider the Hall trade, or exploring other options. I do like the potential of the young RBs, but going into the season with two bottom half draft picks, and a couple of washed up vets would be foolish. Not saying it couldn't work, but that's a helluva gamble when there is still cap space and resources available.

I wasn't sure that they were all that concerned about this upcoming season until they sent premium assets for a 1 year rental at receiver. That's what leads me to believe that a move will be made if the coaches aren't seeing the results they want early in camp. If we are playing for this year, there is no sense in holding onto extra cap money to roll over.

 

[Bullflop]

Prove it. Was helpbon the way 30 friggin years ago? Was it on the way 10 yrs ago? Last year?

Stop drinking the snake oil.

You desperately need to get with the present and put the past behind you. You're doing all that you can to ignore the fact that we had an offseason that changed this year's outlook drastically. The proof will likely come while you're still in denial of the truth. Things are changing for the better.

It's now past time to get current and abandon the past. This team will be on the upswing by so many real indications that you want to ignore. It's a realistic indication of what to expect this year, next year and beyond. The present is now, not behind. What you have is gutless grief and denial of reality.

 

[Techsass]

What did we do? Did I miss something?

We got a decent deal on a top 15 DT.
We signed 3 jags to play guard then drafted a guard at 12.
We brought in a 1st round bust at DE, signed a pass rush only DE, signed Wheat and then spent a 2nd round pick on yet another DE.
We added a journeyman at DT and two late round DT
We added two jag LBs
We added two jag RBs and two late round guys
We added a one year rental head case WR that no one wanted

What am I missing? Oh yeah, we resigned another waste of a roster spot in Goodwin.

The Eagles are laughing at us. The Redmanders are laughing at us. Hell, the Giants are laughing at us.

Maybe ya'll dont mind being laughed at, but it pisses me off. And all it took was signing one WR for you all to go into sheep mode again.

SMH

I don't watch college football, so I'm not up on who is or isn't any good.

I have a problem drafting a guard at #12 just on principal. It doesn't help that reports I read say he isn't very good with his feet & has a problem with pulling & reaching the 2nd level. Maybe it's just a quirk with this particular draft that we picked him so soon. Usually we pick OT's & move them to guard.

The 2nd round DE sounds great with both his sack & TFL numbers last year. He sounds like a complete DE. His career numbers aren't as great, but hopefully it finally clicked.

Our 3rd rounder sounds like a difference maker pick. We just have to overlook that the same doctor said Jaylon Smith wasn't going to have any lingering issues.

I have no problem with prima donna players, especially at WR or CB. All the stories on him say he isn't a locker room cancer type & is well liked by his teammates.

We basically only had 3 reliably decent picks this draft.

I've just about given up on our FA choices.

But back to this particular thread: I don't like how uncertain everybody seems to be on our RB room.

 

[Bullflop]

I don't watch college football, so I'm not up on who is or isn't any good.

I have a problem drafting a guard at #12 just on principal. It doesn't help that reports I read say he isn't very good with his feet & has a problem with pulling & reaching the 2nd level. Maybe it's just a quirk with this particular draft that we picked him so soon. Usually we pick OT's & move them to guard.

The 2nd round DE sounds great with both his sack & TFL numbers last year. He sounds like a complete DE. His career numbers aren't as great, but hopefully it finally clicked.

Our 3rd rounder sounds like a difference maker pick. We just have to overlook that the same doctor said Jaylon Smith wasn't going to have any lingering issues.

I have no problem with prima donna players, especially at WR or CB. All the stories on him say he isn't a locker room cancer type & is well liked by his teammates.

We basically only had 3 reliably decent picks this draft.

I've just about given up on our FA choices.

But back to this particular thread: I don't like how uncertain everybody seems to be on our RB room.

You started off by admitting you don't know anything about college football and don't know who is any good or not. Then, you proceed to make unfounded ideas about our hopeless failures in the draft and otherwise.

Those who know about our recent acquisitions are filled with delight over the possibilities that lie ahead in the months to come. It will take time to prove it, if given a reasonable chance. Their talent is there and not imagined. Like all young players, it will take time for the proof to be seen.

Believe that those who know college football and know those who are capable or not are really very optimistic about our recent draft and the current acquisitions that we've acquired. There are actually valid reasons why they are thrilled about what lies ahead for them. That draft was one that was very exceptional in the opinions of many football savants who are in the know and well respected.

Cheer up, there's much more potential in those draft choices than you've chosen to believe. Give them a fighter's chance to prove themselves before casting them aside as unfit players. The Cowboys had an offseason that was very exceptional in their choices of promising talent. It's there to be admired by so many optimistic fans.

 

[Techsass]

You started off by admitting you don't know anything about college football and don't know who is any good or not. Then, you proceed to make unfounded ideas about our hopeless failures in the draft and otherwise. Those who know about our recent acquisitions are filled with delight over the possibilities that lie ahead in the months to come.

Believe that those who know college football and know those who are capable or not are really optimistic about our recent draft and the current acquisitions that we've acquired. Cheer up, there's much more potential in those draft choices than you've chosen to believe. Give them a chance to prove themselves before casting them aside as unfit players.

So sorry - I wasn't disappointed with our draft.

 

[Carter]

I think Dallas will be able to run the ball successfully because of the Oline , and Cee Dee and Pickens being on the field together.Teams won't be able to stack the box ,Dallas will probably spread teams out and be able to run it.I look for the Cowboys to run out of the I formation between guards and center early in the year until the line starts to gel.Dallas should be hard to stop in short yardage and goal line.

That would be something because the cowboys absolutely sucked in the Red Zone last year and also in the past.

 

[Bullflop]

So sorry - I wasn't disappointed with our draft.

So good to hear. Don't fall for the many critics who invade this website. Many are actually fans of other teams and take delight in finding fault with anybody and every player associated with the Dallas Cowboys. There are also extreme pessimists who can't get over this team's failures of the past.

There are also long-lasting veterans of this website who know better and offer far more realistic ideas than those who infest us with their hatred and cynicism. We'll be fine in the weeks and days to come.

LIke most teams, we have our ups and downs. We'll improve. Whether we make the playoffs or not remains to be seen, but many here expect better things to come. I see our talent improving.

Our offseason was exceptionally successful, when given a fair estimation of what to believe. We'll likely be better, despite having an especially tough schedule to overcome in 2025. The Cowboys are always exciting, win or lose. Unfortunately, the critics here are just hard to take when they wallow in their incessant misery. The optimists are a far happier crowd, for certain.

 

[starfan1]

I picked that avatar back when I had hope for humanity.

I should change it to NoFaith.

Must be tough to be you. Fan on ! You do you

 

[Techsass]

So good to hear. Don't fall for the many critics who invade this website. Many are actually fans of other teams and take delight in finding fault with anybody and every player associated with the Dallas Cowboys. There are also extreme pessimists who can't get over this team's failures of the past.

There are also long-lasting veterans of this website who know better and offer far more realistic ideas than those who infest us with their hatred and cynicism. We'll be fine in the weeks and days to come.

LIke most teams, we have our ups and downs. We'll improve. Whether we make the playoffs or not remains to be seen, but many here expect better things to come. I see our talent improving.

Our offseason was exceptionally successful, when given a fair estimation of what to believe. We'll likely be better, despite having an especially tough schedule to overcome in 2025. The Cowboys are always exciting, win or lose. Unfortunately, the critics here are just hard to take when they wallow in their incessant misery. The optimists are a far happier crowd, for certain.

I definitely fall in the unabashedly "Homer" catagory. Still, until I see results on the field, I take most proclamations with a grain of salt.

BTW as far as our FA pick ups, I like that they decided to try out a bunch of 1st round talents. Wether or not they work out remains to be seen.

 

[Bullflop]

I definitely fall in the unabashedly "Homer" catagory. Still, until I see results on the field, I take most proclamations with a grain of salt.

It's as well you should. I've been steadfastly remaining a fan since this team's inception in 1960. There have been times when I wanted to give up on them but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Coming here to discuss it usually provides impetus to stick around. Hang in there, my friend. It's a gas!

 

[Coogiguy03]

I think Sanders is done. Would love to be proven wrong, though. I think he's this year's Zeke, but we won't be as driven to prove that he can still be a lead back.

I like that Williams has less wear and tear on him, but I don't know how much of a toll the injury took on what he had.

Blue definitely has potential, but so much of that is based on how fast he is. Speed isn't everything because the NFL has a lot of fast players. The questions he has to answer is how good is his vision to see where he needs to go, how good is his contact balance, his elusiveness, his ability to squeeze through small holes.

Very very true

 

[chicago JK]

I wasn't a huge fan of Dowdle and was fine letting him go. I was expecting we would be a little more aggressive in FA RB though. Last year there was veterans all over the place. Less so this offseason. Still with FA and a really deep RB class, I had bigger expectations.

I thought Zeke was done. Williams and Sanders haven't been much better the last two years though. At least, you can hope they will rebound. I never thought Zeke would. It is just tricky to be counting on either Williams or Sanders.

Blue is an interesting long range guy. If things work out, he could be a real option moving forward. I am just not sure it is this year. Tough to put your hopes with a guy with only a little over 1000 yards rushing in his college career and a guy who was beat out by a solid, not great back at Texas. One positive is he doesn't have a lot of tread on his tires, but I don't think you count on him to be a real factor to begin the year.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Seriously. So we need 3 1st round picks on the O Line. Plus a third.

Find 1 other team that has 3 first round picks there. Let alone 2 friggin 1st round guards.

Not sure how much more we can do there! Right? We need good scheme management now.

 

[gimmesix]

Tbh I think they kinda threw a bunch of darts at the board to see which ones stick. Lots of potential in the backfield. If Williams AND Sanders return to form, that alone makes for a dynamic duo with Blue taking the top off a defense occasionally.

That is probably asking for alot. If one of the two can return to form, we still have a quality back to split time with Blue/Mafia/whoever. This would be at least equivalent to last year's attack. With the current OL and receiver corps, the offense should be in good shape.

Looking at the odds, I think this is the most likely result. They brought in vets that have proven they can play. They bought low hoping at least one of them can play in better offensive circumstances than what they had with their previous teams. Both are another year removed from injury. Maybe they never return to peak form, but 75-85% of prime from those guys should be enough to move the offense.

If both of those guys struggle, I think that is when we need to reconsider the Hall trade, or exploring other options. I do like the potential of the young RBs, but going into the season with two bottom half draft picks, and a couple of washed up vets would be foolish. Not saying it couldn't work, but that's a helluva gamble when there is still cap space and resources available.

I wasn't sure that they were all that concerned about this upcoming season until they sent premium assets for a 1 year rental at receiver. That's what leads me to believe that a move will be made if the coaches aren't seeing the results they want early in camp. If we are playing for this year, there is no sense in holding onto extra cap money to roll over.

My problem is our front office seems to think we're smarter than everyone else. Williams and Sanders struggle in Denver and Carolina, but oh, our coaches will get the maximum out of them. They'll turn that around here.

We wait until the fifth round to take a running back because well, we just happen to be able to hit on fifth-round picks with ease. Never mind that the hit rate is around 20 percent and Dallas' falls right in line with that. Currently, 1 out of our last 10 if just counting starters (Caelon Carson, Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko, DaRon Bland, Simi Fehoko, Bradley Anae, Michael Jackson, Joe Jackson, Mike White, Ryan Russell). If we're counting contributors, then we can go 3 of 10, although we haven't gotten much out of Carson and Richards yet.

 

[fivetwos]

My problem is our front office seems to think we're smarter than everyone else. Williams and Sanders struggle in Denver and Carolina, but oh, our coaches will get the maximum out of them. They'll turn that around here.

We wait until the fifth round to take a running back because well, we just happen to be able to hit on fifth-round picks with ease. Never mind that the hit rate is around 20 percent and Dallas' falls right in line with that. Currently, 1 out of our last 10 if just counting starters (Caelon Carson, Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko, DaRon Bland, Simi Fehoko, Bradley Anae, Michael Jackson, Joe Jackson, Mike White, Ryan Russell). If we're counting contributors, then we can go 3 of 10, although we haven't gotten much out of Carson and Richards yet.

You sound like me with DT lol.

At RB, they should have been addressing the position with mid-rounders going back years now when they knew Elliott and Pollard would be gone before long, not using the excuse “the draft didn’t fall that way.”

They left themselves in a ridiculously impossible spot last year, especially RB, and I don’t think any of us know what the hell that was about.

But….I don’t hate what happened this year. Only one of the vets will make the 53, and the kids and the possible upside are the reason to watch the games these days. I’m happy with their potential ability to run the ball, but I don’t think they have much of a prayer to stop it when necessary.

I’m gonna go ahead and say that the biggest issue with running the ball this year will be being behind in games more than not having RBs that are any good.

 

[Chasing6]

I see some hope being placed in the RB group that we've added this year, and that's understandable to some extent simply because we haven't seen this group either succeed or fail here. However, I do think there is reason to look at this group and wonder if we did any better this year than last year.

Miles Sanders vs. Ezekiel Elliott: Elliott had hit the wall that catches up to all players. He had averaged 3.8 YPC, then 3.5 YPC his last two years before going to New England and averaging 3.1. Elliott was in his seventh year when the wheels fell off. Sanders is going into his seventh year, but it appears that his wheels may have come off sooner. He's averaged 3.3 and 3.7 the last two years. Expecting him to recapture his juice is probably expecting too much. This one is likely a wash.

Rico Dowdle vs. Javonte Williams. Dowdle was our best back last year. He was coming off a season in which he averaged 4.1 YPC in a No. 2 role and averaged 4.6 when given a bigger role. That earned him a deal with Carolina, and Williams was brought in as his replacement. Williams has averaged 3.6 and 3.7 YPC in a time-sharing role in Denver the last two years. It's hard to say that he'll ever get back to the form of his first two years while Dowdle's stock is on the rise. Advantage Dowdle.

Jayden Blue vs. Royce Freeman, Before stashing Dalvin Cook on the practice squad and finding out he was just as cooked as Elliott, Dallas first brought in Freeman. Freeman was coming off a 4.1 season with the Rams in a backup role. He had a decent start to his career (averaging 4.0 per carry as a rookie) but it derailed pretty quickly. Blue brings an element to the run game that Dallas didn't have last year with his speed. The Cowboys are hoping that he can outplay his draft status (fifth round). Freeman was a third-round pick (71) while Blue was taken at 149, and we saw what became of Freeman. With this one, we just hope it turns out better.

Phil Mafah vs. Malik Davis. Davis was a UDFA that looked like he was going to at least carve out a backup role, but he faded quickly. Mafah was practically a UDFA, since he was taken in the seventh round. We have to hope he outplays his draft status as well.

Deuce Vaughn vs. Deuce Vaughn. There are times that Vaughn has shined and times when his lack of size has shown. He likely has to prove this year that he deserves a spot on the roster or he'll be gone. He had a grace period the last two years as a fifth-round pick and the son of a Cowboys staffer.

We're all hoping that the guys we've got will be better than the ones we lost or cut, but there are a lot of question marks here. We did not clearly upgrade and may have actually downgraded from Dowdle. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Our OLine is better, so this RB committee already has an advantage.

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

My problem is our front office seems to think we're smarter than everyone else. Williams and Sanders struggle in Denver and Carolina, but oh, our coaches will get the maximum out of them. They'll turn that around here.

We wait until the fifth round to take a running back because well, we just happen to be able to hit on fifth-round picks with ease. Never mind that the hit rate is around 20 percent and Dallas' falls right in line with that. Currently, 1 out of our last 10 if just counting starters (Caelon Carson, Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko, DaRon Bland, Simi Fehoko, Bradley Anae, Michael Jackson, Joe Jackson, Mike White, Ryan Russell). If we're counting contributors, then we can go 3 of 10, although we haven't gotten much out of Carson and Richards yet.

I think they would have drafted either of the Ohio St running backs, or certainly Hampton in the 2nd had they been available. With them off of the board, you either trade down or take BPA. Reaching would have meant passing on EZ. I believe the FO made the right call here.

They could've taken a back in the 3rd. Had that been the case, I would've preferred Skattebo, but none of the guys available measured up to Revel. Corner was a need and they made the right choice picking BPA.

Round 4 would've been the sweet spot had JJ not traded for Mingo, but he did, and we would've had to package picks to move up for a group of players that may or may not be better than Blue, who was our pick in the 5th. Sometimes the draft doesn't fall how you want it to and you have to improvise. I think they did well to accumulate talent that will contribute now and in the future.

Regarding free agency, who would you have rather brought in? Najee Harris was RB1. Aside from him, the list of potential acquisitions was limited at best. Sportrac had Williams as the 4th best back available. The only other options were to trade, which could still be on the table, or wait and see who is available during TC. I've been all over these guys about upgrading the RB for the last 3 offseasons. Last season, bringing in Barkley or Henry made way too much sense, but it didn't happen. This year, with the options available, I don't really see how they could've done a better job at approaching the position.

 

[jrumann59]

I see some hope being placed in the RB group that we've added this year, and that's understandable to some extent simply because we haven't seen this group either succeed or fail here. However, I do think there is reason to look at this group and wonder if we did any better this year than last year.

Miles Sanders vs. Ezekiel Elliott: Elliott had hit the wall that catches up to all players. He had averaged 3.8 YPC, then 3.5 YPC his last two years before going to New England and averaging 3.1. Elliott was in his seventh year when the wheels fell off. Sanders is going into his seventh year, but it appears that his wheels may have come off sooner. He's averaged 3.3 and 3.7 the last two years. Expecting him to recapture his juice is probably expecting too much. This one is likely a wash.

Rico Dowdle vs. Javonte Williams. Dowdle was our best back last year. He was coming off a season in which he averaged 4.1 YPC in a No. 2 role and averaged 4.6 when given a bigger role. That earned him a deal with Carolina, and Williams was brought in as his replacement. Williams has averaged 3.6 and 3.7 YPC in a time-sharing role in Denver the last two years. It's hard to say that he'll ever get back to the form of his first two years while Dowdle's stock is on the rise. Advantage Dowdle.

Jayden Blue vs. Royce Freeman, Before stashing Dalvin Cook on the practice squad and finding out he was just as cooked as Elliott, Dallas first brought in Freeman. Freeman was coming off a 4.1 season with the Rams in a backup role. He had a decent start to his career (averaging 4.0 per carry as a rookie) but it derailed pretty quickly. Blue brings an element to the run game that Dallas didn't have last year with his speed. The Cowboys are hoping that he can outplay his draft status (fifth round). Freeman was a third-round pick (71) while Blue was taken at 149, and we saw what became of Freeman. With this one, we just hope it turns out better.

Phil Mafah vs. Malik Davis. Davis was a UDFA that looked like he was going to at least carve out a backup role, but he faded quickly. Mafah was practically a UDFA, since he was taken in the seventh round. We have to hope he outplays his draft status as well.

Deuce Vaughn vs. Deuce Vaughn. There are times that Vaughn has shined and times when his lack of size has shown. He likely has to prove this year that he deserves a spot on the roster or he'll be gone. He had a grace period the last two years as a fifth-round pick and the son of a Cowboys staffer.

We're all hoping that the guys we've got will be better than the ones we lost or cut, but there are a lot of question marks here. We did not clearly upgrade and may have actually downgraded from Dowdle. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

My issue with Vaughn is the team has Turpin, they sort of occupy the same type role, and i would give the nod to Turpin, he is a better receiver and his ST plays.