CFZ Running Back room evaluation

[TasteMyScythe]

Pollard was tagged with the intention of working out a long term deal...there's no concerns from the Cowboys about Pollards ability to recover fully.

Ronald Jones was brought in to compete for carries...I don't see the Cowboys viewing him as their #3 RB/ST. If he can't make it as #2 then he could possibly be cut.

Davis showed he can be the #3 and play ST...Dowdle is PS

Dallas may or may not draft a RB...maybe they are looking for that veteran experience behind Pollard. I was surprised by the RJ signing and fully expected a RB to be drafted, but I'm not so certain now. Is a RB drafted in the middle rounds a better option than RJ? I guess it just depends on how the the Cowboys look at things.

 

[MyFairLady]

Jerry says there is nothing to worry about.

 

[Pass2Run]

Zeke has been replaced by TP as the RB1 last season. Dallas is looking for a RB2 in the draft. RoJo, Davis and Rico are competing for RB3.

Just hope McClay and company aren't looking to draft a banger as the RB2 with so many explosive runners available.

RoJo is a perfectly fine RB2, though..

Depending on how Pollard's progress is coming along, I'd be OK with an UDFA because there will be so many RBs left over after this draft. Even if it's Pollard, RoJo and Malik Davis, we should be fine at RB.

If I were the Cowboys, I would see what I could do about bringing back Aaron Shampklin.

 

[Mr_437]

RoJo is a perfectly fine RB2, though..

This is where we disagree. There is a chance for Dallas to add a dynamic RB, and RoJo is basic. Some ppl want basic behind TP, but I want another guy who can do real damage if he gets a sliver of daylight.

 

[mattjames2010]

This is where we disagree. There is a chance for Dallas to add a dynamic RB, and RoJo is basic. Some ppl want basic behind TP, but I want another guy who can do real damage if he gets a sliver of daylight.

You'll want an RB that is going to wear a defense down and open up those lanes for Pollard. Those don't open for no reason - you either have an RB that bruises the defense or a dynamic passer that makes the defense step back. I'm not sure Ronald Jones is THE guy, but there is a reason most teams don't have 2-3 speedsters and instead go with backs with different playstyles.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Pollard was tagged with the intention of working out a long term deal...there's no concerns from the Cowboys about Pollards ability to recover fully.

Ronald Jones was brought in to compete for carries...I don't see the Cowboys viewing him as their #3 RB/ST. If he can't make it as #2 then he could possibly be cut.

Davis showed he can be the #3 and play ST...Dowdle is PS

Dallas may or may not draft a RB...maybe they are looking for that veteran experience behind Pollard. I was surprised by the RJ signing and fully expected a RB to be drafted, but I'm not so certain now. Is a RB drafted in the middle rounds a better option than RJ? I guess it just depends on how the the Cowboys look at things.

For all intense and purposes the RB room is no different than it was last year. We need a much better RB room to be honest.

 

[Motorola]

For all intense and purposes the RB room is no different than it was last year. We need a much better RB room to be honest.

I'm in agreement with you.
•Dowdle- 20 games in 3 seasons... 7 rushes, 24 yards (injuries)
•Davis- 6 games...38 carries, 161 yards as a rookie
---both really still unproven in my book.
Jones- the 5 year vet had a decent 2021 season in a limited role with the Bucs, but was a non-factor in the Chiefs' run to the NFL title.

We will see the Cowboys' level of importance\direction in adding RB talent during the draft. I put forth three possible scenarios:
1)Bijon Robinson still available - Dallas drafts him at 26;
2) Robinsion off the board - Cowboys trade back into early 2nd round and pick up Jahmyr Gibbs;
3) In round 3 or 4 - the best RB in their evaluation that is there will be the selection.

 

[buybuydandavis]

For crying out loud. Seriously???????

HE WASN'T HEALTHY YET.

We gave Gallup two guaranteed years at 7figures, with the first year scheduled to be written off for health reasons?

AFAIK, he suffered no *additional* injury beyond normal NFL wear and tear.

Could be that Gallup is not that good. He may just not be up to the task of a #2 that has to shoulder more of a load when the oline and WR corps around him are weaker.

Recall that TWill had great productivity up through 2016 which simply collapsed when the offense around him wasn't as good in 2017 and 2018.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Having said that, I do believe the Cowboys have signed a good player in RB Ronald Jones. Jones was the 38th overall pick in 2018 at age 20 out of USC, and has been a solid RB. For whatever reason, his workload has been relatively light, and he's only had 510 rushes in his 5 year career. But he's averaged 4.4 ypc, which is more than the Cowboys got out of Elliott last season. His best years were 2019 & 2020 when he combined for 364 carries for 1702 yards, and 13 touchdowns rushing, plus another 59 receptions for 474 yards and another touchdown.

I don't see Tampa's high pick making sense for Ronald Jones, and I've seen draft grades calling him the "Worst Pick" for Tampa that year.

Signed for basically veteran minimum with 300k guaranteed. A price point signing. Too good a deal to pass up. Not too good a RB to pass up.

He looks like cheap health insurance in case Pollard can't start the season and our draft picks, or others we pick up, aren't enough to start the season. Basic RB competence.

The plan is *likely* to find alternatives and drop him before the season starts. I hope that's the plan. I don't see anything in him to want him to stick around longer. I'd rather be developing a *couple* of draft picks to pair with Pollard this year, with one hopefully showing enough so that we can move on from Pollard's contract next year.

Ronald Jones simply screams Progress Stopper.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Zeke has been replaced by TP as the RB1 last season. Dallas is looking for a RB2 in the draft. RoJo, Davis and Rico are competing for RB3.

Just hope McClay and company aren't looking to draft a banger as the RB2 with so many explosive runners available.

I'll take a banger *and* an explosive runner. Prep them this year to be the guys in 2024.

That would be my *goal*.

But while everyone likes to pooh pooh signing Pollard to real money, I could see being fine with bringing him back in 2024 if he plays at an elite level again this year.

Elite RBs are worth something. Just don't sign them long term at elite prices. Projecting elite play into the future for multiple years is a sucker bet. But I'll take 1 year at a time.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Interesting trade at the deadline. If they draft a RB better than TP (a top 5 RB) that'll be awesome for the run game next season.

Pollard started a few games in his career and he was fine. The term starter isn't as important at RB especially in Dallas while TP outperformed the starter for the last 2 years. 15 to 20 touches for Pollard and 15 to 20 touches for other RBs should be good enough. All these RBs are going to be rotational.

Pollard's value is in being *more* than rotational.

He should be used as he was drafted to be used: *complementary* to another back on the field. Motion RB/WR.

That's the offense I want. 3 WR is too weak running. Two RBs can attack the breadth of the field for runs and short passes, while if one of those guys is *fast*, he becomes a matchup problem if we pass.

An elite RB who can *also* run by you deep on a fly is worth paying for.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Pollard was tagged with the intention of working out a long term deal...there's no concerns from the Cowboys about Pollards ability to recover fully.

Ronald Jones was brought in to compete for carries...I don't see the Cowboys viewing him as their #3 RB/ST. If he can't make it as #2 then he could possibly be cut.

Davis showed he can be the #3 and play ST...Dowdle is PS

Dallas may or may not draft a RB...maybe they are looking for that veteran experience behind Pollard. I was surprised by the RJ signing and fully expected a RB to be drafted, but I'm not so certain now. Is a RB drafted in the middle rounds a better option than RJ? I guess it just depends on how the the Cowboys look at things.

Jones is cheap enough that we can just plan to cut him while we bring rookies up t speed, or while Pollard gets healthy.

I see RJ as early season competence insurance.

 

[Motorola]

I don't see Tampa's high pick making sense for Ronald Jones, and I've seen draft grades calling him the "Worst Pick" for Tampa that year.

Signed for basically veteran minimum with 300k guaranteed. A price point signing. Too good a deal to pass up. Not too good a RB to pass up.

He looks like cheap health insurance in case Pollard can't start the season and our draft picks, or others we pick up, aren't enough to start the season. Basic RB competence.

The plan is *likely* to find alternatives and drop him before the season starts. I hope that's the plan. I don't see anything in him to want him to stick around longer. I'd rather be developing a *couple* of draft picks to pair with Pollard this year, with one hopefully showing enough so that we can move on from Pollard's contract next year.

Ronald Jones simply screams Progress Stopper.

I disagree with you labeling Ronald Jones as a "Progress Stopper".
My opinion - he was brought in as competition to challenge the current RB incumbents behind Pollard:
Rico Dowdle___3 seasons \ 20 games \ 7 carries for 24 yards
Malik Davis___rookie season \ 6 games \ 38 rushes for 161 yards

Now that Elliott is gone, 2023 is wide open for any and all RBs the Cowboys want to sign on via the draft, UDFA, or another FA like Jones to come in make the team.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I disagree with you labeling Ronald Jones as a "Progress Stopper".
My opinion - he was brought in as competition to challenge the current RB incumbents behind Pollard:
Rico Dowdle___3 seasons \ 20 games \ 7 carries for 24 yards
Malik Davis___rookie season \ 6 games \ 38 rushes for 161 yards

Now that Elliott is gone, 2023 is wide open for any and all RBs the Cowboys want to sign on via the draft, UDFA, or another FA like Jones to come in make the team.

I hope the plan is not competition between those guys. We should be bringing in guys to compete to be the future.

Even if they plan on extending Pollard, those are not guys I'd just sit on to pair with Pollard.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm in agreement with you.
•Dowdle- 20 games in 3 seasons... 7 rushes, 24 yards (injuries)
•Davis- 6 games...38 carries, 161 yards as a rookie
---both really still unproven in my book.
Jones- the 5 year vet had a decent 2021 season in a limited role with the Bucs, but was a non-factor in the Chiefs' run to the NFL title.

We will see the Cowboys' level of importance\direction in adding RB talent during the draft. I put forth three possible scenarios:
1)Bijon Robinson still available - Dallas drafts him at 26;
2) Robinsion off the board - Cowboys trade back into early 2nd round and pick up Jahmyr Gibbs;
3) In round 3 or 4 - the best RB in their evaluation that is there will be the selection.

I like 3

 

[kskboys]

Zeke has been replaced by TP as the RB1 last season. Dallas is looking for a RB2 in the draft. RoJo, Davis and Rico are competing for RB3.

Just hope McClay and company aren't looking to draft a banger as the RB2 with so many explosive runners available.

Bangers win super bowls.

 

[Mr_437]

Bangers win super bowls.

Sure

 

[Jumbo075]

This is where we disagree. There is a chance for Dallas to add a dynamic RB, and RoJo is basic. Some ppl want basic behind TP, but I want another guy who can do real damage if he gets a sliver of daylight.

Your post gave me flashbacks to the 1995 draft. The Cowboys were stocked at nearly every position, so they decided to focus on drafting backup players instead of potential starters. The Cowboys passed on future HOF running back Curtis Martin in the 2nd round to draft Sherman Williams instead. That draft was the beginning of the downfall for the Cowboys, and the Cowboys haven’t been back to the Superbowl since the 1995 season ended.

Always, ALWAYS draft for starters. Never draft a player you don’t believe has the potential to become a starter. NEVER!

Thanks for reminding everyone that any RB the Cowboys May draft should have the potential to replace TP. If he doesn’t have that potential, don’t pick him.

 

[Mr_437]

Your post gave me flashbacks to the 1995 draft. The Cowboys were stocked at nearly every position, so they decided to focus on drafting backup players instead of potential starters. The Cowboys passed on future HOF running back Curtis Martin in the 2nd round to draft Sherman Williams instead. That draft was the beginning of the downfall for the Cowboys, and the Cowboys haven’t been back to the Superbowl since the 1995 season ended.

Always, ALWAYS draft for starters. Never draft a player you don’t believe has the potential to become a starter. NEVER!

Thanks for reminding everyone that any RB the Cowboys May draft should have the potential to replace TP. If he doesn’t have that potential, don’t pick him.

Thanks for taking that to the next level with the Sherman Williams example, it hit the nail on the head.

 

[ICP]

Just imagine what things look like if CeeDee or Cooks go down for the year. The depth is concerning to say the least especially when your already thin at TE