We need a RB we can depend on for years

[CCBoy]

Just like quarterback, running back is fully functional at the NFL level. That said, a running back that can develop up to the level of both McFadden and Morris will probably be added.

As to a need to have a yellow diamond instead of a blue diamond, sorry...that just isn't a pressing need. One still takes the BPA for his own team. Who couldn't like Elliott added to the roster? But in comparison, a top four running back being married with a two time Pro Bowl running back is a very strong point from which to work.

I'm not going to evaluate solely on the fruits of eye wash. The Cowboys do have a functional base, but need at least an additional running back. In today's NFL, those do sometimes arise from positions lower than the first two rounds via the draft.

 

[CCBoy]

He had 8 straight 1000 yd seasons while catching 40-50 passes. The team around him was garbage and everyone knew it was on him. Can't really blame him for that. We needed a RB badly that year, if memory serves we were coming off of Troy Hambrick. We passed on our biggest need and the highest rated RB in the class to get cute and we netted Julius Jones and what Marcus Spears?

Hambrick...ol' trip over a blade of grass.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Exactly the same thing my brother said. He said "watch Dallas pass on Zeke and watch the Giants or Philly get him, then watch how he kills us for the next 7 years"

It would serve us right.

 

[CCBoy]

It would serve us right.

The Giants still need offensive linemen and love miracle making wide receivers. They already dished out money for the defense.

 

[Jarv]

I'm not a college football expert by any means, but I do watch highlights (which admittedly isn't the best way to scout a pick). This kid Ezekiel Elliot is growing on me.

In 1990 E. Smith wasn't our first choice in the first round. Jimmy wanted a LB'er and felt cheated, just as many here rightfully feel we should be going defense or franchise QB. During the 90's, do we win 3 superbowls with Blair Thomas as our RB?

The league has changed since the 90's and is more pass orientated, but we have built an offensive line meant to dominate in the run, like our old 90's teams. So instead of joining the passing copycats, this is a chance to bring back the dominating run game, when defenses are more geared towards stopping the passing game. Is Elliot the next Smith? Impossible to tell, but the situations are very similar. Coming off of our worst record since 1989 is 2015; wanting to go defense, but settling for Smith. the biggest difference, as many will point out, we already had our franchise QB (Troy).

Which leads me to another analogy. We have a franchise QB, albeit an aging and off-injured one. Do we plan for the future by grabbing our next QB (are any of this years QB franchise QBs? I don't know?)This years super bowl winning GM was also a superstar aging QB that had never won a super bowl. What brought Elway over the top, TD...

Again, not saying Ezekiel is the next Smith or Davis, or even saying there isn't a hidden gem out there who may be close. Murray, Dmac and now Morris can all run and be effective behind our Oline. How about we get some spectacular, game changing, who makes plays even when the blocking breaks down...Someone who can garner 4.5+ a carry consistently, but still have the explosion to break off the big runs.

We have a franchise QB right now, we don't have a franchise RB, we have capable RBs.

The questions is...Is Ezekiel a hands down franchise RB? Is Wentz, Lynch or Goff franchise QBs? I have no idea. I do know that every time the Cowboys have won a super bowl we have had a franchise QB and RB.

Roger/Duane
Roger/Tony
Troy/Emmitt
Tony/Ezekiel???

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Why?

Ever notice how Jackson's team's underperformed?

Ever notice how Jackson missed some serious time almost every year of his career?

Or the fact that he couldn't pass protect very well?

I think Jackson was severely overrated. The bigger miss was that we traded down and took Julius Jones. Then when it looked like Jones had some real potential, Parcells changed him into a RB that he wasn't.







YR

One of the few times I really disagree with you. Jackson literally had nothing around him and put up big numbers year after year, both running and receiving. He would have been a monster in Dallas.

 

[DandyDon52]

The good ones last, not the bust. Injury does play a big role and a lot of the RB's drafted got freak injuries in their 1st year.

We need a RB.
We paying 20+mil to a QB
A top notch TE
a top notch WR
A top notch OL
2 high paid CBs and a 1st rounder last year
High paid LB (Lee)
Had a DE making 12+ last year

But we have a RB by committee, 2 cast off and one coming off knee surgery. Enuff said.
Exactly the same thing my brother said. He said "watch Dallas pass on Zeke and watch the Giants or Philly get him, then watch how he kills us for the next 7 years"

I agree, but the jones dont value RB's , they just ran the ball a lot in 2014, then let murray walk.
I think they still want to pass more than run, and I doubt they get zeke.

It would be bad for another east team to get him and he turns out to be a great back.
I dont think dallas will go RB or QB with the 4 pick.

Right now the jones boys are obsessed with pass rushers, and even more so after seeing denver win SB.
They think that is what they need to make it to SB.
They didnt sign hardy yet, so they are looking for DE in draft. or defensive players.

 

[Q_the_man]

I would love for the Cowboys to draft 1 player I want in the first round... Draft Zeke and I will not ask for another pick for 5 years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The only way Zeke is a Cowboys is if we trade down. We aren't going (nor should we) go RB at 4.

 

[plasticman]

The management of this franchise couldn't recignize a dependable back if he broke their franchise rushing record formerly held by one of their most revered Hall of Famers.

You could gift them a RB in the 2nd day of the draft that could rush a for almost 250 yards in his very first start and they would claim it was a weak opponent.

He could rush for over a thousand yards in back to back seasons, the first time for the Cowboys in 15 years and they would call him average.

He could break a 50 year old record for consecutive 100 had games to open a season, formerly held by a HOF arguably considered the most dominating in history, and they would credit their offensive line.

He could be one of their top receivers, a great blocker, a model citizen, and a team leader and they would tell you they can easily get another or simply start the RB's former backup.

The Cowboys could have a season that completely reverses their fortunes, a balanced offense that allows their QB to be the top ranked, a well rested defense by virtue of a rushing attack that eats the clock, and a confidence and swagger not seen since the early 90's and they would credit every other player, the coaches, the management, the scouting, and the beer vendors while pronouncing the RB position as "devalued".

Besides, a #4 overall draft pick should contribute to the success of a team for 10 years. An All-Pro season with the #1 ranked performance in the league wouldn't convince this team's management that they could depend on a RB. His Cowboy career would end with his first contract.

 

[Craig]

Im fine with patchwork running back groups as long as the position remains effective.

 

[Q_the_man]

Im fine with patchwork running back groups as long as the position remains effective.

Then what next year McFadden and Morris? we can always get a DE or CB via FA, granted we might overpay a little but we can never get a Possible star RB in FA(and please don't say the RB from the dolphins). I'm more focused on ball control, I love 2nd and 5's & 3rd and 2's. We can solidify our RB position for the next 7 years minimum by drafting Zeke

Once again it we pass on Zeke granted Cleveland does not grab him, we will be in the same position as we were by not drafting Moss. Run the ball, let the defense stay fresh and keep Romo from doing to much.

 

[Craig]

They dont need to get a star rb. They just got a guy who was hanging onto his career by a thread and in a partial season as a starter was 4th in rushing...while playing on a team that had no passing game.

A good running back doesnt keep the defense off the field by himself. If elliott is as good as everyone thinks he will be, dallas wont have him for 7 years. Theyve already shown what theyre not willing to pay a rb.

 

[Sydla]

They likely aren't taking Elliott at 4.

So some of you should set your expectations accordingly.

 

[kiheikiwi]

With McFadden and Morris - the die is cast for this year. What they should do is take a complimentary back later, say round 4 (either pick). I would target someone like Kenyon Drake, multi-purpose runner/KR. Blazing speed.
Again, next year has at 3 top level runners and McFadden will be out of a contract and Morris on his last year. Makes sense yes ?