Stephen Jones unveils underwhelming strategies for the Cowboys’ running back scenario.
It’s widely known that Dallas Cowboys supporters have been eager for the team to address the running back position. Following Tony Pollard’s departure and speculations surrounding Derrick Henry potentially joining the team, fans had high hopes. However, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones dashed those hopes with recent comments.
Jones admitted that the Cowboys lack an established running back within the organization. However, he revealed that their strategy does not involve acquiring an established back or targeting a top running back prospect in the upcoming draft. Instead, Jones hinted at addressing the position through the draft with “complementary players,” indicating a reluctance to designate an RB1.
This implies that fans can’t expect players like Alexander Mattison, Ezekiel Elliott, or Dalvin Cook to join the team. Additionally, prospects such as Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, or Blake Corum may also be off the table. The earliest the Cowboys might consider adding a running back could be with their third-round pick, but even that isn’t guaranteed. Their next pick comes much later in the draft, which raises concerns about relying on a late-round rookie as the primary running back, especially after the success of Deuce Vaughn as a sixth-round pick in 2023.
However, given the Cowboys’ shift towards a more pass-heavy offensive approach, a weaker backfield may not have as significant an impact as before. Despite this uncertainty, the Cowboys are still favored to win the NFC East, even with Vaughn currently projected as RB1, while the Eagles trail despite adding Saquon Barkley.
It’s worth noting that Jones may not be the most reliable source, and even if negotiations were underway for a new RB1, it’s unlikely that such information would be made public. Therefore, the situation could change unexpectedly at any time.
