NFL NUGGETS : McFadden to Dallas? It could happen

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NFL NUGGETS : McFadden to Dallas? It could happen
Joe West sports@nwarktimes.com

Oh, how I loves me some wild speculation.

I don’t know why I do it. Maybe I’ve gone nutso. Maybe I’m just mean enough to get Dallas Cowboys fans in Arkansas to hope for something that has little chance of actually happening.

Now, I don’t really need some slick-talking ESPNer who’s into tricking players’ mothers to tell me that Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will go pro if he turns in a Heisman-worthy 2007. So call me crazy (many folks do ) but it’s easy for me to see a scenario that sends McFadden to the Cowboys in next year’s NFL Draft.

Arkansas’ top running back still has his junior season in front of him, but if all shakes out according to plan in college football, as well as the NFL, DMac could hit Big D like a Texas tornado.

Now before you accuse me of hanging out too long around high-tension power lines, hear me out on this.

When the Cleveland Browns flushed their No. 1 pick in next year’s draft down the john to get Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in last April’s draft, an interesting possibility emerged. The recipient of the Browns’ No. 1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft is none other than regional favorite Dallas.

It seems like every year the Browns are in contention for the top pick in the following year’s draft. This year should be no exception, especially considering Cleveland’s quarterback quandary and the strength of the AFC North.

No matter how many top-10 picks the Browns bring in, they always seem to end up as punching bags for the other teams in their division. If Cleveland somehow manages to overtake Baltimore, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati for third place in the division this year, it’ll be a minor miracle.

For wild speculation’s sake, let’s say that the Cowboys wind up with the top overall pick in next year’s draft. Would they pick McFadden ?

Keep in mind that Dallas already sports two good running backs — Julius Jones and Marion Barber — that get to share the carries. Jones is a speedster who can break a big run here or there. Barber is more bullish, and can covert short-yardage and goal-line runs.

But McFadden can do all of that and more.

Though Jones rushed for over 1, 000 yards for Dallas last season, he has not become the star back the Cowboys had hoped for when they drafted him in the second round in 2004. They never really trusted Jones around the goal line last season, hence Barber’s 14-to-4 advantage in touchdown runs.

This could be Jones ’ last year in Dallas, which would open up a spot for a new running mate for Barber. Again, wild speculation.

It may be more likely that McFadden ends up with a team that lacks a breakaway threat at running back — like Houston, Green Bay, Tennessee, Arizona or the New York Giants. But who knows ?

At Razorback practice, McFadden has been blasting through holes like some kind of suped-up speedbike. If he has another blockbuster season and Dallas ends up sitting pretty with the No. 1 overall pick, you know Jerry Jones will at least think about pulling the trigger.

Oh, and what if Dallas ends up with a pick not at No. 1, but somewhere in the top 10 ? Did I just hear Felix Jones’ name called ?

Now I’m really speculating wildly.

Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.​

 

[speedkilz88]

It may be more likely that McFadden ends up with a team that lacks a breakaway threat at running back — like Houston, Green Bay, Tennessee, Arizona or the New York Giants. But who knows ?

I think all these teams will finish better than Cleveland. The texans being the closest to Cleveland, but the texans don't play in the afc north.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Run DMC would be awesome with a star on his helmet--just awesome!

 

[VA Cowboy]

This could be Jones ’ last year in Dallas

:beatit:







...oh, Julius

:doh:

 

[zrinkill]

Unless someone has a big year this year .... I think if McFadden is not there they go a different position.

 

[sacase]

I think DMC is a lock for being a Cowboy. we have 2 first round picks and DMC is a Razorback, same as our very one Jerry Jones.

 

[DanTanna]

We need to put a little secret birdie in DMC's ear "Don't hold out or we won't pick you".

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Everyone and their god sent mother knows that Jerry Jones would ABSOLUTELY take McFadden with the 1st pick! That's a no brainer if you consider what kind of special talent this guy is!

 

[Rampage]

Unless someone has a big year this year .... I think if McFadden is not there they go a different position.

i don't think it matters how big of year julius has. dmac in 08!

 

[Crown Royal]

Good chance we will take him, but I don't want him. Those top 5 or so are so prohibitively expensive - if you don't land a franchise player, you are boned.

 

[sonnyboy]

I find it hard to believe that anyone who's been a Cowboy fan for longer than five minutes can't see that the odds are in favor of McFadden playing in Dallas next year.

If you don't love McFadden's game or you think the our resources could be better utilized, that's another story.

However, football history tells us that franchise RB's, are usually worth the draft and salary cap resources they command.

Cowboy's history tells us we were at our best when we sported one of these franchise RB's.

And Jerry Jones' history tells us it will happen.

 

[dallasfan]

I think all these teams will finish better than Cleveland. The texans being the closest to Cleveland, but the texans don't play in the afc north.

Aren't you being pessimistic. I actually think Arizona and Houston will be around 7-9 to 9-7, the Green Bay shouldn't fall from 8-8 to less than 5 wins, and Tennesee would probably go WR.

But the Giants worry me.

EDIT*nevermind for some reason I thought you said worse

 

[MiStar]

There are other runningbacks. I don't think that McFadden is worth many millions more than Jonathan Stewart, Ray Rice, or Mike Hart. Adrian Peterson, maybe.

 

[GlitzCowboy]

God, I love when the Star twinkles! Usually right before a new Star is born, too. McFadden to Dallas is a no brainer at this point i'd say. Though I do think Quinns going to be a little better than most predict and it will end up costing us a lot more in the end. I wouldn't at all be surprised if our first 2 rounds end up being thrown away towards this kid. And what can I say but, winners take chances and I wouldn't object to a draft-gutting trade like that one bit if it landed us a player like Run-DMC. In fact I would think it was about time. We've *****-footed around this league for the past 10 years and it's time to quit with the crap. I don't have to think, I KNOW we ARE the DALLAS COWBOYS. Medicrocy is so beneath us.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...should sign Julius whether he has a banner year or not prior to the draft.

If McFadden is there pick the kid if he has the goods and then trade Julius away for the 2nd round pick they gave up to get him.

Any contract he signs with Jerry should be lower than what the open market would command him and make him more attractive in a trade. What we need to happen is he puts up another barely 1000 yard year, we win the SuperBowl and he resigns with us.

If McFadden falls to our laps then we have another option, if Darren is unavailable, then we still have a adequate back.

 

[HopeCowboyFan]

Ray Rice, Steve Slaton are there as well

I am far from thinking we go RB with early 1st pick.
Can get quality there at #2 first rounder.

 

[illone]

I hope to GOD the Cowboys don't get DMC.

I'd look forward to watching him play, but not against the Skins.

 

[Rampage]

There are other runningbacks. I don't think that McFadden is worth many millions more than Jonathan Stewart, Ray Rice, or Mike Hart. Adrian Peterson, maybe.

he is too slow

 

[DallasInDC]

I really hope we are in a position to get DMac with Cleveland's pick, the only thing that worries me is the Brady Quinn syndrome...Last year everyone was drooling over Quinn saying he was a surefire #1 overall pick, safest pick in the draft. Then he had a mediocre performance last season. Follow that up with a questionable start to his NFL career. And this seems to happen every year. I hope it is not the case with DMac cause he definetly looked like a beast the past 2 years.