Could the Dallas Cowboys Select an RB in Round 1?

In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys had a tough 4-12 season, with high expectations shattered by Tony Romo’s broken collarbone, leading to a No. 4 pick in the 2016 draft. The decision came down to cornerback Jalen Ramsey or running back Ezekiel Elliott. Despite strong support for Ramsey, then-coach Jason Garrett favored Elliott, recalling the impact of DeMarco Murray’s 2014 season. The Cowboys chose Elliott, and he quickly became the team’s engine, leading the league in rushing, with another league-leading performance in 2018.

After a six-year, $90 million extension in 2019, Elliott had solid seasons but never reached 1,000 yards again. As the Cowboys hold the No. 12 pick in the 2023 draft, they’re considering top running backs like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. Stephen Jones reflected on Elliott’s impact, noting that while his second contract didn’t live up to expectations, Elliott was still a great pick.

Last season, running backs had a strong showing, with Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry leading the way. The Cowboys have also emphasized the importance of the running game under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who has a history of leading successful rushing offenses. Schottenheimer, known for his physical run-first approach, believes in the power of the run game and has the support of offensive line coach Klayton Adams.

With 16 1,000-yard rushers in 2024, including the Cowboys’ Rico Dowdle, Dallas may be ready to invest in a running back at No. 12 to strengthen their offense.