cowboyjoe
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http://www.cowboyszone.com/2012/04/cowboys-draft-running-backs-must-have.html
Posted by Rafael at Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The most eyebrow-raising names on Dallas' pre-draft visit list are those of running backs Doug Martin (Boise St.) and Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M). Martin frequently cracks the late 1st in mocks and rates somewhere in the 25-50 range. Gray looks like a mid-round option, in that 3rd-4th range where the Cowboys have had so much recent success, pulling Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Demarco Murray out of those two rounds since '05.
If Martin truly factors into Dallas' plans, he could be a 2nd round surprise. What then for incumbent Felix Jones? One report says the Cowboys have discussed trading him. As an asset, this makes some sense. He's entering the final year of his contract. If Jones remains on the roster he'll likely be Murray's sidekick.
The recent free agency window demonstrated that backs have lost value. They were not aggressively pursued, especially in comparison to receivers. Michael Bush aside, they didn't get big or even modest deals. Look at Matt Forte's situation. He's been one of the most productive NFL backs in recent years, but watched the Bears open their wallet for Bush, and is now threatening a holdout.
Posted by Rafael at Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The most eyebrow-raising names on Dallas' pre-draft visit list are those of running backs Doug Martin (Boise St.) and Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M). Martin frequently cracks the late 1st in mocks and rates somewhere in the 25-50 range. Gray looks like a mid-round option, in that 3rd-4th range where the Cowboys have had so much recent success, pulling Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Demarco Murray out of those two rounds since '05.
If Martin truly factors into Dallas' plans, he could be a 2nd round surprise. What then for incumbent Felix Jones? One report says the Cowboys have discussed trading him. As an asset, this makes some sense. He's entering the final year of his contract. If Jones remains on the roster he'll likely be Murray's sidekick.
The recent free agency window demonstrated that backs have lost value. They were not aggressively pursued, especially in comparison to receivers. Michael Bush aside, they didn't get big or even modest deals. Look at Matt Forte's situation. He's been one of the most productive NFL backs in recent years, but watched the Bears open their wallet for Bush, and is now threatening a holdout.