CFZ The case for a RB high in the draft

[CowboyRoy]

The teams that are run first aren’t winning championships these days. The teams with the top three rushers all missed the playoffs last season. You win with the passing game, you have to be able to score points. If Robinson is sitting there at 26 and Dalton Kincaid is off the board then we have to take Robinson. You can’t pass up a top five talent at number 26 especially when we have a need at RB.

Pay the line so you can run and pass when you need to. That's how you win championships.

Never took you for a skill position guy.

 

[CowboyRoy]

If Atlanta takes Robinson early, or Philadelphia, Stephen better take some Advils or drink a shot of Don Padron and pay for a move up to about 14-15 and get Gibbs, the big play pair to put alongside Tony Pollard. He would be that much of a big play addition.

This one time that Jerry, the Gm, better prepare his staff and Stephen right now.

Its actually the opposite. The ONLY reason the Eagles getting Robinson would sting is because they have the best Oline in the business. We dont have close to that. So we need to fix the line first. Unless you have a great line the back can't do his job.

And on another note, if they get Robinson we better draft a DT to stop the run. Getting a finesse back would be the opposite of what to do.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Of course it's dependent on the line. But look what he did after getting through the line. He was an outstanding RB for the first 3 years. Then started downhill. I don't think anyone expected that at his age.

I expected it, and called it completely.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Of course it's dependent on the line. But look what he did after getting through the line. He was an outstanding RB for the first 3 years. Then started downhill. I don't think anyone expected that at his age.

When I say dependent on the line though…..we had arguably the best run blocking line in the league when Fredericks was here. I expect my back to not need that just to produce. I’ll always be a Zeke fan and he was far from bad…I guess I wanted Emmitt or Barry and that was not the case.

 

[quickccc]

The Cowboys have never accomplished much running the offense through the QB, they have run it through the RB throughout their history with HOF RB's.

In 2016 and 2014, they ran it through the RB and got homefield. Coincidentally, the RB's made All Pro both seasons.

There are two RB's worthy of 1st round picks and the Cowboys need to land one of them because that is the immediate impact player out of this draft.

This is not a future pick, it is a pick for now because the NFC is there for the taking but they need to have a run control the game offense.

And Pollard is not that RB. Robinson or Gibbs are better backs and that's the easiest transition position next to PK in the league.

I've wavered between OL and DL but can't see them taking a DT in the 1st anyway, just not sexy enough and I considered WR and TE but I have settled on one of these two RB's and run the offense through them. Can't give the QB any better help than that.

Gibbs is the same type back as Pollard .. Speedy, elusive, finesse all purpose type.

Gibbs is not gonna be a bell cow. He's not built like that - nor should a team or coach make him like that.

Ditto with Pollard - who BTW is a Pro Bowl RB now. He's well known around the NFL now

When i see posts and threads like this, it seems like expectations and desires to get back to that 2016 era again " Ground and Pound" bell cow
- even at the expense of beating that RB to death . ala Zeke Elliott.

Ground and Pound to to protect and hide the flaws of the QB ?

 

[quickccc]

It's that simple. Draft someone who will be here twice as long as a RB.

Or you operate as RB-A...and RB-B ... Kamara and Ingram .... Aaron Jones and Dillion ... Depends upon the coaches, team and scheme.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I do not see an OL or DL in this draft as good as either RB and Carter comes with baggage.

I think Pollard is on a one year because of the injury and they are not sold he's true #1 for a 17 game season.

And when was the last time the Cowboys took a DT, the real DL need, in the 1st round? 32 years ago, Russell Maryland taken by Johnson and Parcells pulled the trigger on La'Roi Glover. Other than that, it is not a priority with the present management.

Definition of insanity is doing g the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Jerry is definition of insanity

With that said, although a player may rank above another in your example a RB better than a DT, or OL, the question is what would be the impact of that player on the team. I am.opposed to drafting a RB in the first round as they can be drafted and have immediate impact. I don't see them as draft and go through learning curve and see rewards three years down the line.

I don't see Gibbs as a type of player to carry the load, so he is a platoon type RB which means you need to draft another one next year or find his platoon partner.

We need to build inside out.

 

[Flamma]

I expected it, and called it completely.

Hey, I believe you. No reason to lie. Just like I said I was all in favor of the Parsons pick. It's all in the history. But I never expected the drop off from Zeke. Good on you.

 

[Verdict]

There will be 1 or 2 tackles subject for consideration of being let go next season. Smith is pretty darned long toothed and Steele is coming off injury. Then there is cap flows in question and improving team ability to keep up with cash and change, both.

You can pay Steele quite a bit of money, or you can replace him. Tyron is not really the Tyron of old and, in my opinion Tyron is either “done” or very close to it.

As I see it there is a very good chance that Tyron and Steele could both be off the team next season. If you draft a legit OT in the first your options open up dramatically.

Tyler is OT legit. So you have one of two locked in for four years (including this season). Your first round OT pick can allow you to:

1. If Tyron can still play (which is debatable) you may be able to salvage a legit pick out of him in a trade, especially at the trade deadline. A 3rd round pick from a desperate team would really be a windfall as salvage value on his contract.

2. You could try to re-sign Steele or trade Steele at the trade deadline if his contract demands are too high.

3. You could decide to play a versatile OT player at OG and move on from Martin’s contract in a trade. Martin might get you a first round pick or more if we decide to move him.

4. You could keep all of the foregoing and have incredible depth at the position.

One or more of these could be on the Cowboys radar.

 

[Verdict]

Tony wrecked his leg.

He’s UFA again. And he’s small. 20+ rushes a game is too much.

I don’t think we will re-sign Pollard. I think we will draft Pollard’s replacement and let him walk in free-agency at the end of the season.

 

[Verdict]

Not really. Zeke was done two years ago. Zeke should have just played out the 5 year deal. The problem with picking Robinson is any team that draft him will have to give him an extension after year 3. There is no way a great running back would play year 4 without an extension. Especially a Dallas Cowboy with Jerry’s history.

That seems to be the template. So you have to consider that you get 3 cheap years out of him and move on. But if it’s a stud RB or Taco, you take the RB. So nothing should be set in stone. Every year is different.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Hey, I believe you. No reason to lie. Just like I said I was all in favor of the Parsons pick. It's all in the history. But I never expected the drop off from Zeke. Good on you.

As soon as the Oline went, Zeke went. And he didnt keep himself in shape early to middle part of his career. Was a bruiser and had mileage.

 

[DandyDon52]

Especially if paired with Pollard in Dallas...

yes but it depends on how they use them. Also if pollard gets back to where he was physically.
I would lean on gibbs till mid-season to give pollard time to get back in shape.

 

[Big_D]

I think if Bijan or Gibbs or both make it to 26 one of them will be a Cowboy.

 

[conner01]

The Cowboys have never accomplished much running the offense through the QB, they have run it through the RB throughout their history with HOF RB's.

In 2016 and 2014, they ran it through the RB and got homefield. Coincidentally, the RB's made All Pro both seasons.

There are two RB's worthy of 1st round picks and the Cowboys need to land one of them because that is the immediate impact player out of this draft.

This is not a future pick, it is a pick for now because the NFC is there for the taking but they need to have a run control the game offense.

And Pollard is not that RB. Robinson or Gibbs are better backs and that's the easiest transition position next to PK in the league.

I've wavered between OL and DL but can't see them taking a DT in the 1st anyway, just not sexy enough and I considered WR and TE but I have settled on one of these two RB's and run the offense through them. Can't give the QB any better help than that.

I could make a better case for a guard. We’ve never ran the ball well without a good oline. No RB can run without blocking. If the blocking is good enough you don’t need as elite of a RB
The falcons were 3rd in rushing with a 5th rnd RB
Strengthening the oline helps both the run game and passing game

 

[buybuydandavis]

but can't see them taking a DT in the 1st anyway,

It's hard to justify *us* taking a DT in the 1st because the roles we have for DTs to fill are very different.
We clearly want a NT for run downs and pure pass rush DTs for pass downs. If you can only do one of those roles, you're a less than 50% player, and it's hard to justify a 1st round pick on a half time player.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I could make a better case for a guard. We’ve never ran the ball well without a good oline. No RB can run without blocking. If the blocking is good enough you don’t need as elite of a RB
The falcons were 3rd in rushing with a 5th rnd RB
Strengthening the oline helps both the run game and passing game

A better case can be made for spending a 1st on a C than a G.
C is one of the keystone positions on a team. I don't think either G position is. C is a tougher position to play, and has more responsibilities. That's the interior oline position you most need to get right.
I'm not sold on Biadasz for a free agent contract. Bring in 1st round C who can learn the NFL as a rookie at G, then have him take over C in 2024.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Gibbs is the same type back as Pollard .. Speedy, elusive, finesse all purpose type.

Gibbs is not gonna be a bell cow. He's not built like that - nor should a team or coach make him like that.

Ditto with Pollard - who BTW is a Pro Bowl RB now. He's well known around the NFL now

Sounds like a good guy to take over for Pollard in 2024.

The RB/WR hybrid isn't a bell cow, but he could be something better - a full-time player, run or pass, who makes our offense a threat to run or pass on every down.

 

[conner01]

A better case can be made for spending a 1st on a C than a G.
C is one of the keystone positions on a team. I don't think either G position is. C is a tougher position to play, and has more responsibilities. That's the interior oline position you most need to get right.
I'm not sold on Biadasz for a free agent contract. Bring in 1st round C who can learn the NFL as a rookie at G, then have him take over C in 2024.

I could see that. The point is build the oline and you don’t need an elite RB
We don’t have a LG so that’s why I said guard but you could certainly make a case for center or both

 

[CATCH17]

Definition of insanity is doing g the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Jerry is definition of insanity

With that said, although a player may rank above another in your example a RB better than a DT, or OL, the question is what would be the impact of that player on the team. I am.opposed to drafting a RB in the first round as they can be drafted and have immediate impact. I don't see them as draft and go through learning curve and see rewards three years down the line.

I don't see Gibbs as a type of player to carry the load, so he is a platoon type RB which means you need to draft another one next year or find his platoon partner.

We need to build inside out.

Agree with all that but we also needs playmakers.

After we lost to San Fran everyone knew once Pollard went out that the only guy capable of big plays was Lamb.