This is the opposite of the way the Cowboys think

[birdwells1]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...the-idea-you-can-get-a-running-back-anywhere/
This reflects the way that I think which is the opposite of the way our front office view the position. We'll see how it plays out this season.


“We studied this,” Roseman said, via Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com. “There’s this narrative that you can get running backs in the fifth, sixth, seventh round of the draft and free agency. But when you look back at the last 10 years, guys who were really in the top 10 in rushing, those guys are high picks.”

While the devaluing of the position has become a popular narrative, Roseman’s data showed that to land an elite runner, it’s harder to find one on the street.

And after former league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray failed so miserably in Philadelphia, it could be time to think about the possibility of Elliott.

The Ohio State running back had 3,699 yards and 41 touchdowns the last two seasons, averaging 6.9 and 6.3 yards per carry his final two years for the Buckeyes.

“I think there’s a difference between a special player and a role player at the position,” said Roseman. “When you talk about the guys who are 1500-yard rushers, the guys who people are game-planning for, those are hard to get later in the draft. . . .

“When you find a special talent at that position, that guy who can run the ball, pass protect, can catch the ball out of the backfield, that’s a unique weapon. I don’t think the position is devalued. Talking to [coach] Doug [Pederson], obviously we come from the same school of Andy [Reid], and what he could do with those kinds of guys.”

 

[Alexander]

This is Howie Roseman though.

 

[reddyuta]

This is the team which got rid of 2 pro bowl level guards to satisfy Chips ego and coudnt run the ball well .

 

[Alexander]

This is the team which got rid of 2 pro bowl level guards to satisfy Chips ego and coudnt run the ball well .

I have to think that if Chip Kelly did not have his czar powers last year, things would have turned out differently.

 

[MikeT22]

I'm not sure how many teams are devaluing the RB postiton to the point they are waiting til the 5th-7th rounds to try and nab a starter. But it is true that you don't need to use a first, or at least a high first to obtain a franchise back. Many of the top backs are being taken in the 2nd-4th rounds.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I don't think the plan is go that long into the draft for a RB. I think we look at round 3 and or 4 to get one. Which would be about the right value.

 

[birdwells1]

This is Howie Roseman though.

I just think that there's a concerted effort, throughout the league, to devalue the rb position for financial reasons. I think that the owners don't want to pay the qb position 15 mill+ and the 1300 yard rb 10 mill+ so that's why you see rb by committee and backs getting drafted so low.

 

[jazzcat22]

I'm not sure how many teams are devaluing the RB postiton to the point they are waiting til the 5th-7th rounds to try and nab a starter. But it is true that you don't need to use a first, or at least a high first to obtain a franchise back. Many of the top backs are being taken in the 2nd-4th rounds.

But there are exceptions...like Elliot....just as Gurley was picked last year in the 1st.

There always needs to be top RB's no matter where he is selected.
Say all RB's are not selected until the 6th round, so the top RB leading Rusher is now a late round pick, so why draft one in the 1st round?
Theory does not wash, IMO. Who are these draft gurus to say this.

 

[DFWJC]

This guy is exaggerating by saying 5th - 7th rounds.

We already know that Dallas was willing to take a back as early as the second last year, and certainly the 3rd and 4th.
And, of course, if Gurley had fallen all the way to them in the 1st, they would have taken him there too.

Zero doubt that IF the right player is there, then they'll take that player in the earlier rounds.
Now the 4th overall? They better strongly believe the player is the best in a decade or so....no idea if they think that this year.

But in any case, this article does NOT seem accurately reflect Dallas' feelings on rookie backs

 

[robjay04]

The team would've taken Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon last season if they fell to the first. The draft just didn't work out for a running back, the backs we liked went early in the second and third. Jerry himself hinted towards trading away our first for AD last season.

The team values the position, they are just hesitant to hand out second contracts...especially after being burned by Barber.

 

[Nightman]

If you look at the Top 20 RBs since 2000 all of them are drafted in the first 3 rounds

13- 1st round, including 7 in the top 10
5- 2nd round
2- 3rd round

RB is just like every other position. If you want quality you have to pay for it. If it is so easy to find why is our best RB 29 years old.

 

[Sydla]

And if Roseman is giving the indication that they want TB at 8, then they clearly aren't taking a TB at 8. He's a big bluffer.

In fact, I suspect they might even move that pick to get another 2nd rounder since they traded theirs for Bradford.

Also, note he references Pederson and how he follows the Andy Reid model. Well Reid was bullish on drafting the OL and DLs and went with a third round back in Brian Westbrook during their big run.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

If they get him oh man, 5 years of watching Zeke run in that horrible uniform is going to suck, i hope he wears silver and blue.

 

[Sydla]

I hope the Eagles take Elliott. He'll be a mediocre TB playing for a team with no QB.

I'd be more worried if a guy like Wentz fell to them or they took Stanley who would then give them quite an OL.

 

[MikeT22]

But there are exceptions...like Elliot....just as Gurley was picked last year in the 1st.

There always needs to be top RB's no matter where he is selected.
Say all RB's are not selected until the 6th round, so the top RB leading Rusher is now a late round pick, so why draft one in the 1st round?
Theory does not wash, IMO. Who are these draft gurus to say this.

There are exceptions. But many top backs can still be had in the 2nd -4th rounds. If anyone is waiting til the 5th or 6th round hoping to get a stud RB, then they will be disappointed the majority of the time.

 

[DC Cowboy]

I don't think the plan is go that long into the draft for a RB. I think we look at round 3 and or 4 to get one. Which would be about the right value.

Question, so if Zeke is that special kind of RB and with our O-line he isn't the "right value" at the 4th spot?

 

[Nightman]

If DAL didn't use the #1 pick in 1990 on Steve Walsh do you think they take Emmitt Smith at #1?

Or do they go defense and take Seau or Cortez Kennedy and try to get Emmitt at 17 like they did.

They traded up a few spots to get Emmitt but would they go up all the way.

 

[Craig]

They went from having the leagues leading rusher to the #4 leading rusher because it is, in fact, easy to find a useful running back.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If DAL didn't use the #1 pick in 1990 on Steve Walsh do you think they take Emmitt Smith at #1?

Or do they go defense and take Seau or Cortez Kennedy and try to get Emmitt at 17 like they did.

They traded up a few spots to get Emmitt but would they go up all the way.

They only reason the Cowboys were interested in Smith was due to him falling in the draft. They certainly wouldn't trade all the way to 1 to get him. In fact, it wasn't Smith they were interested in when they started trading down it was James Francis they had their eye on. When Emmitt got all the way to 17 they traded up to get him.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Question, so if Zeke is that special kind of RB and with our O-line he isn't the "right value" at the 4th spot?

Absolutely NOT. No RB is worth the 4th overall pick. Not in today's NFL.