My Pet Cat

[Yuma Cactus]

He could be a replacement for 13 and 25.



How would RB Donnel Pumphrey fit with the Cowboys?

By Joey Ickes
Posted on Mar 24, 2017

AP Photo/Gregory Bull
For the last five years, Lance Dunbar, has, when healthy, occupied the change-of-pace role for the Dallas Cowboys backfield.

The Cowboys front office, specifically owner and general manager Jerry Jones, was always enamored by the skill set possessed by the undrafted runner from the University of North Texas. Dunbar occasionally flashed the vision, quickness and speed that made him a favorite of Jones, giving fans and the organization a taste of what the offense could look like with an additional big-play threat in the backfield.

However, in Dunbar’s five years as a Cowboy, he never had more than 47 touches in a season, playing a full 16-game season only once (2014). He suffered two severe knee injuries, once to his left PCL in 2013, and once to his left ACL and patellar tendon in 2015. In addition, he missed time with other lower body injuries as well.

After re-signing with Dallas for one year following the 2015 season, Dunbar has opted to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams for the 2017 season.

While the Cowboys have Ezekiel Elliott and the recently re-signed Darren McFadden on their roster, they don’t have another running back with the same open field skill set that Dunbar has.

This is where former San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey could step in for the Cowboys.

https://www.fanragsports.com/nfl/cowboys/rb-donnel-pumphrey-fit-cowboys/

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Yikes. He's a guy to root for but I don't see his success translating.

He's 5'-8" 176 lbs and very slight; we're aren't talking Maurice Jones-Drew or even Darren Sproles muscle hamsters.

Relative to his size he's not very fast and has little experience returning kicks.

 

[Floatyworm]

Yup...I like the kid too. Hate the idea of burning a late 4th on him though....and he probably doesn't make it to our 6th round pick either. I think we are kind of screwed here. Maybe we trade a comp pick from next year to make this happen?

 

[MonsterD]

I like this guy for that role.

 

[tm1119]

You're pet cat is going to get run over in the NFL.

Won't mind if we spend a 6th/7th on him to be a return specialist, but he's just never going to have a role on offense because of his size.

 

[Yuma Cactus]

You're pet cat is going to get run over in the NFL.

Won't mind if we spend a 6th/7th on him to be a return specialist, but he's just never going to have a role on offense because of his size.

I see him doing what they wanted Dunbar to do and returns. He is shifty enough, with limited snaps he will be fine.

 

[RS12]

I know they are interested but IMO Elliott should aways be on the field on 3rd down. To me he makes the scat back types moot for this team.

 

[BAT]

You're pet cat is going to get run over in the NFL.

Won't mind if we spend a 6th/7th on him to be a return specialist, but he's just never going to have a role on offense because of his size.

You really have an issue with size man.

 

[Questfor6]

I like this guy for that role.

Makes 2 of us

 

[Hardline]

Not interested in "change of pace " or scatback RBs. I want a RB that can be a starter if needed.
McFadden is a capable starter if called upon to do so..

 

[JohnsKey19]

Not interested in "change of pace " or scatback RBs. I want a RB that can be a starter if needed.
McFadden is a capable starter if called upon to do so..

The loss of DJax stings. With a year of NFL coaching under his belt, his skill set fits perfectly with what the team could use behind Zeke and McFadden.

 

[Risen Star]

Here's mine for this role on the team. But you know who I really want to fill this role? Ezekiel Elliott.

DE'ANGELO HENDERSON
COASTAL CAROLINA


OVERVIEW

Henderson's career at Coastal got delayed a bit while the NCAA reviewed his academic eligibility. South Carolina's leading rusher in 2010 enrolled in 2011 and redshirted in 2012. Since then, he's set most of the school rushing records and several NCAA marks, despite missing three games in 2016 with a shoulder injury. He scored in 35 straight games, setting the Division I record by falling just shy of Danny Woodhead's NCAA All-Division mark that he set at Chadron State. Henderson started four of 15 games played as a freshman (82-599, six TD rushing; 4-39 receiving) before breaking out in 2014. He was a first-team All-Big South pick that year, ranking ninth in the FCS in rushing yards and seventh in rushing scores (234-1,534, 20 TD rushing; 33-289, TD receiving). Henderson was a third-team Associated Press All-American in 2015, as well as Big South Offensive Player of the Year, with 1,346 yards on 222 carries and 16 touchdowns rushing (40-403, three TD receiving). His totals were down a bit in 2016 because of the injury (183-1,156, 16 TD rushing; 20-190, two TD receiving), though he set career highs in rushing yards per game (128.4).

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS
Has access to an accelerator that gets him around the corner or through the line of scrimmage quickly. Ran a verified 4.49 40 in early 2016. Runs bigger than his listed size. Unafraid to drop the pad level and get it on with would-be tackler. Powerful lower body with balanced base to maintain his feet despite a big hit from an angle. Willing worker between tackles. Runs through initial contact and makes tacklers work for it. Decisive runner. Low center of gravity with sudden, one-cut ability. Prolific at scoring touchdowns. At his best in space. Good pass catcher with long speed and open-field shiftiness to hit the big play out of the backfield. Able to adjust his body to poorly thrown balls. Adequate pass-protection skills.

WEAKNESSES
Needs to develop better patience between the tackles. Appears to make decisions to grind forward a little too early at times. His creativity as a runner can be a little inconsistent. Has the feet to make defenders miss but doesn't always do it. Squared-up runner who lacks slipperiness to get through tight crevices. Needs work on consistency and technique in pass protection. Doesn't have size to continue taking on tacklers as often as he does at next level. Outstanding production came at lower level of competition.

NFL COMPARISON
Branden Oliver

BOTTOM LINE
Henderson is built low to the ground with the balance and power in his lower half to fight forward for additional yardage after contact. His courage, burst, and one-cut ability should appeal to zone-scheme teams while his pass catching and willingness to block gives him a chance to compete for a role on third downs. Henderson had prolific production throughout high school and college and plays with the mindset and confidence of a future pro. He's undersized but has the skill to compete for a spot on an NFL roster right away.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

We have too many holes to fill on defense than to spend a pick on a very light player. The NFL tends to eat those guys for breakfast. There will be good undrafted running backs available after the draft to sign. We have to be very selective this year.