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Running back was unquestionably one of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest needs this draft cycle. With names like Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders populating the top of the depth chart, it was absolutely critical for the Cowboys to add someone from the ultra-deep RB draft class this year.
Under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas is expected to take on a physical, run-heavy approach in 2025, reminiscent of many of the top offenses last season. The rise of 2-high coverage has given new opportunities to NFL ground games. Offenses that can take advantage of these opportunities are seeing significant success, and Schottenheimer seems committed to the cause.
The Cowboys used their top assistant coaching position of offensive coordinator to bring in offense line specialist Klayton Adams. And they also invested their top draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select offensive lineman Tyler Booker. The only thing that separated them from their vision was a shiny new ball carrier to make it all happen.
Then the second round came and went. Then the third round came and went. After the fourth round, things started to get tense. Most of the top RB prospects had fallen off the board and unless the Cowboys did something soon, the entire plan for 2025 looked like it could go up in smoke in an instant.
But Dallas stayed the course and when Pick No. 149 came along, the Cowboys pulled the trigger on the man to bring it all together. The player was Texas’ Jaydon Blue and his selection wasn’t a moment too soon. Deep into the seventh round the Cowboys went back to the well once again, adding Phil Mafah from Clemson. It surprised no one to see them double-dip at the position, what was surprising is they waited as long as they did. It was low-key brilliant.
As one of the deepest positions in the draft the Cowboys played to the value of the situation. With so many talented plug-and-play prospects entering the league this year, Dallas was sure to see more than a few tantalizing prospects fall to them in the fifth round. As long as the front office wasn’t picky, the scouting department could deliver. And deliver they did.
Blue is one of the most explosive RBs in this draft class and big-play ability happened to be the top trait on the wish list. Not only is it critical for a run-heavy offense to have but it’s a trait that’s clearly lacking from the Cowboys’ current stable of runners. It was a risky gamble the Cowboys took but it appears to have paid off.
No one will truly know if the waiting method was the best method until training camp kicks off this summer. For now, everyone will have to trust the scouting department and hope for the best, but frankly, that would be the case even if Dallas used an early pick on RB.
The way the Cowboys played the RB position was wise given the depth of the class. It allowed them to invest opportunistically in other positions early and still attack their need at RB late when value presented itself.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys waiting on RB in 2025 NFL draft was wise, but risky
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Under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas is expected to take on a physical, run-heavy approach in 2025, reminiscent of many of the top offenses last season. The rise of 2-high coverage has given new opportunities to NFL ground games. Offenses that can take advantage of these opportunities are seeing significant success, and Schottenheimer seems committed to the cause.
The Cowboys used their top assistant coaching position of offensive coordinator to bring in offense line specialist Klayton Adams. And they also invested their top draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select offensive lineman Tyler Booker. The only thing that separated them from their vision was a shiny new ball carrier to make it all happen.
Then the second round came and went. Then the third round came and went. After the fourth round, things started to get tense. Most of the top RB prospects had fallen off the board and unless the Cowboys did something soon, the entire plan for 2025 looked like it could go up in smoke in an instant.
But Dallas stayed the course and when Pick No. 149 came along, the Cowboys pulled the trigger on the man to bring it all together. The player was Texas’ Jaydon Blue and his selection wasn’t a moment too soon. Deep into the seventh round the Cowboys went back to the well once again, adding Phil Mafah from Clemson. It surprised no one to see them double-dip at the position, what was surprising is they waited as long as they did. It was low-key brilliant.
As one of the deepest positions in the draft the Cowboys played to the value of the situation. With so many talented plug-and-play prospects entering the league this year, Dallas was sure to see more than a few tantalizing prospects fall to them in the fifth round. As long as the front office wasn’t picky, the scouting department could deliver. And deliver they did.
Blue is one of the most explosive RBs in this draft class and big-play ability happened to be the top trait on the wish list. Not only is it critical for a run-heavy offense to have but it’s a trait that’s clearly lacking from the Cowboys’ current stable of runners. It was a risky gamble the Cowboys took but it appears to have paid off.
No one will truly know if the waiting method was the best method until training camp kicks off this summer. For now, everyone will have to trust the scouting department and hope for the best, but frankly, that would be the case even if Dallas used an early pick on RB.
The way the Cowboys played the RB position was wise given the depth of the class. It allowed them to invest opportunistically in other positions early and still attack their need at RB late when value presented itself.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys waiting on RB in 2025 NFL draft was wise, but risky
Continue reading...
