The Dallas Cowboys will likely look to the NFL Draft for running back Tony Pollard’s replacement. Who could they target in the later rounds?
There are plenty of options for the Dallas Cowboys to survey with the No. 24 pick in the NFL Draft. The spine of the defense can be improved, the offense line is far less sturdy than it was last season, and the offense badly needs an upgrade over Michael Gallup on the boundary.
Dallas also has a significant need in the backfield, but drafting one on the draft’s first day might fill the streets surrounding The Star. As such, the Cowboys are likely to take a running back at some point, but with a lesser pick and subsequent commitment.
Replacing running back Tony Pollard must be checked off before the draft comes to a close if Dallas is going to have any confidence in its ground game. Who could they target in two weeks?
Pro Football Focus recently revealed their favorite fits for Days 2 and 3. For the Cowboys, both prospects happened to be in the backfield.
There’s little consensus over the top running back in this year’s class, and virtually no mock draft is bold enough to put a back in Round 1. Although that should temper expectations for potential rookie running back, that doesn’t mean a legitimate starter can’t be found on Day 2.
Among the contenders is a familiar face, Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.
“The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard in free agency, leaving Rico Dowdle, who has fewer than 400 career rushing yards to his name, as the starter,” Dalton Wasserman wrote. “Jonathon Brooks, the top running back on PFF’s big board, makes plenty of sense as Pollard’s replacement, provided he recovers from his ACL tear. Brooks was likely headed for a Doak Walker Award last season before his injury.”
Brooks may be the favorite to head to Frisco because he closely resembles the potent threat Pollard was in 2022. As the complement to Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard created big plays repeatedly, emerging as a running and receiver to take the load of the passing game.
Brooks is equally, if not more, explosive than Pollard. There’s reason to be excited about his impact in zone-rushing schemes, despite some flaws with his footwork and vision that stymie his stock.
If the Cowboys kick the can on a running back and wait until Day 3, Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen could don the star on the side of his helmet. For those unconvinced about a leader of the pack at running back, delaying the decision will be welcomed. Why spend a top 100 pick on a prospect who doesn’t project to be meaningfully better than his later-round counterpart?
“Allen’s size and power made him tough to bring down in college,” Gordon McGuinness wrote. “He averaged 3.66 yards after contact per carry and forced 145 missed tackles on 596 carries over the past three seasons. He’s just 20 years old, which is in his favor despite his taking on a heavy workload in college.”
If Dallas opts for a bigger back, Allen fits the bill. He’s stronger than Brooks and, unsurprisingly, a more consistent force between the tackles. For fans who remember Elliott more fondly than Pollard, Allen offers a lot to like.
He’s more consistent and has the long speed to hit home runs, but in 2023 he struggled to be as powerful and elusive as he was in previous campaigns. Given his age and pedigree, he’ll likely get some run as a bell-cow back for the team that drafts him.
Dallas’ potential improvements to the offensive line will be more meaningful to the running game’s success than the back they bring in, but getting big plays out of that facet to the offense will only grow in importance if the team continues down its current path under center.
