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If the Cowboys can't keep DeMarco Murray, the draft may be the place for an alternative.
There's no doubt what the big question for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason is - can they get both Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray signed? Almost no one doubts that Dez Bryant will be a Cowboy in 2015, whether it's with a new long-term contract or a franchise tag. The real dilemma for the Cowboys is DeMarco Murray.
If the Cowboys can't get a deal done with their star running back, then they need to look at three options for replacing him. They can look internally, where it's starting to look like the only real option is Ryan Williams. Lance Dunbar just isn't built to be a workhorse and Joseph Randle is trying to run himself out of Dallas with knucklehead behavior. They could grab a free agent, but can they find a bargain that still has tread on the tires? Or, they could try the draft.
More and more, mock drafts have the Cowboys picking a running back. It seems the prevailing view around the league is that Murray will get a big offer from a new team, something the Cowboys won't be willing to pay. I'm not sure about that, but it is definitely a possibility. If Murray does leave and the Cowboys get the player in Todd McShay's new mock draft, I'd feel pretty good about it.
27 Melvin Gordon Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
COLLEGE: Wisconsin Class: Jr HT: 6-0 WT: 207 POS: RB
Analysis: Re-signing both WR Dez Bryant and RB DeMarco Murray is going to be awfully difficult for Dallas this offseason, and if the Cowboys need to let one go, it's likelier to be the running back turning 27 years old who has an injury history. Murray has been great, but it's easier to find effective running backs (especially behind Dallas' offensive line) than it is to find elite receivers like Bryant. Gordon's running style is very similar to Murray's; he runs hard, is a work horse, gets from 0 to 60 in a flash and shows great vision and patience as a runner. He isn't great in pass protection or as a receiver, but he's getting better. The other positions Dallas needs to address this offseason are cornerback, D-line, tight end and receiver (depending upon how Bryant's situation works out).
This is the second mock draft in a row from McShay with Gordon going to the Cowboys.
Here is some video to get you familiar Gordon's running back style.
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