The Dallas Cowboys house one of the best offensive units in the NFL. Although often criticized for shrinking in big moments, including owning just one playoff win over three straight 12-win seasons, Dallas and quarterback Dak Prescott have posted monster numbers during the Mike McCarthy era. Outside his inaugural season in 2020, the Cowboys have led the NFL in scoring per game twice, including registering a league-best 29.9 points per game in 2023. The NFC East club scored at least 30 points in more than half of their regular season games despite ranking 20th in rushing yards per attempt.
The high-powered Dallas offense of 2023, powered by Prescott, led the league in passing touchdowns but struggled with Tony Pollard leading the way in the backfield. Pollard, a former fourth-round pick and Pro-Bowler took over the alpha role in the running back room with the departure of longtime star Ezekiel Elliot but labored with the added volume. Pollard finished the season averaging a career-worst 4.0 yards per rush attempt and now plays for the Tennessee Titans, leaving Dallas short-handed at that position heading into next fall. However, after much talk about adding a running back via the draft, the Cowboys went without drafting a potential Pollard successor, leaving fans of the NFC East club distraught.
Dallas Cowboys Fans: Irate Over Not Selecting a Running Back
The Dallas Cowboys owned the best statistical offense in football last year despite the absence of an elite rushing attack. With the previous year’s lead back Tony Pollard out in Dallas, Cowboys fans turned their attention to the 2024 NFL draft for his replacement. After Thursday’s first-round concluded, owner Jerry Jones made headlines for his praise regarding Texas football product and top-ranked running back Jonathon Brooks. Jones said in an interview, “In 30 years, I thought it was the best interview I’ve ever had with a player….We got him high, high, high (on our board).”
However, the Carolina Panthers crushed Jones’ dream, taking the rusher midway through the second round. Although Brooks became lost to an NFC foe, the need for a running back remained. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, the seven-round draft concluded with no new additions for the backfield. With a significant question mark hanging over the position, Dallas fans took to Twitter, also known as X, to vent about the team’s lack of urgency.
#Cowboys..I wonder if Jerry Jones just does not value the Running Back position ??..or..he thinks all of them are the same or a dime a dozen??…i mean they’re own pick in the 3rd Round #87 would of been the time to pull the trigger? pic.twitter.com/26TxCwRGUo
— Tom Docherty (@docman2626) April 27, 2024
Jerry Jones sucks big time terrible draft No running back Jerry Jones sucks Jerry Jones sucks!!!!!!!!!!!
— Mike C. (@Michael88366798) April 27, 2024
@dallascowboys Jerry Jones thinking that Zeke Elliott can start for them next season tells me that dementia has set in. Jones has officially become the Al Davis of professional football. Senile, living in the glory days of the organization. It’s bizarre.https://t.co/RYbpVRChhV
— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) April 27, 2024
The Jones’ think they’re slick by not taking a running back in the earlier rounds. They’re forcing @dak to have to carry this team and if it doesn’t work they’ll blame him 🤦🏾♂️. This is a set up
— Shiesty Pimp (@Zay_2xs) April 27, 2024
Following a mid-round run at the position, the Cowboys elected not to draft a running back for the sake of it, following their board instead. Dallas now becomes a highly attractive destination to any undrafted free agent RB. https://t.co/4WMrzf6gKz
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 27, 2024
Wow, The Cowboys did not draft a running back. Super unserious team.
At least the final pick was a big run stuffer. Maybe this year we can stop the run at least.
— Ungzabo Brujo (@UngzaboB) April 27, 2024
Any thoughts about the Cowboys having the worst running back room in the league?
— Gosu (@gosu984) April 27, 2024
If the Cowboys don't draft a Running Back AT ALL what will the "Cowboys are so predictable – they need a Running Back so they draft one on day 2" saying as their excuse?
— ℂℍℝ𝕀ℤ𝕃𝕐-ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕋𝕊🎧🐻🎶 (@chrizly72) April 27, 2024
Dallas Cowboys: RB Depth Chart
Dallas’ need for a running back remains urgent after the team opted to pass on a rusher this weekend. However, they can still sign an undrafted free agent. Emani Bailey, Kendall Milton, and George Holani all remain without a team after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft. Bailey headlines the group, posting 1,209 rushing yards on 7.4 yards per carry for TCU last season.
The Cowboys’ current running back depth chart remains worrisome, with Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman most likely to receive carries if the season started today. Dowdle rushed for 361 yards on 4.1 yards per carry for Dallas last season. Meanwhile, Vaughn, a sixth-round pick in 2023, ran for 40 yards on 23 attempts. At five-foot-six, 176 pounds, he lacks the ideal size of a three-down back.
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