Cowboys: Twin Razorbacks In Backfield In 2016?
The Dallas Cowboys already have one running back from Arkansas in the backfield, but the franchise could add one more for next year in the 2016 NFL draft.
Unless you’re a believer that the Dallas Cowboys might somehow find a way to reunite with former running back DeMarco Murray during the offseason, America’s Team will almost certainly be looking for running back help during the 2016 NFL Draft.
In 12 weeks’ time, the Cowboys could see not one, but two running backs from University of Arkansas lining up behind quarterback Tony Romo next season. Ordinarily I would downplay such an idea on the basis that it’s just another example of owner Jerry Jones looking to his alma mater for another football player. Emotions run very deep with Jones, arguably his biggest problem in trying to serve as a general manager in addition to simply owning the team.
Remember how the 2008 first-round selection of Felix Jones went?
Well, in this potential scenario, two former Razorbacks in the Dallas backfield could be just what the doctor ordered, if it goes down that way by early May.
Already in the fold for at least one more year is Darren McFadden, the underrated veteran who just turned in his finest season since 2010 with 1,089 yards rushing on 239 carries. That 4.6 yard average is just a shade below the 4.7 that Murray posted in 2014, a season in which the former Oklahoma Sooners star led the NFL in rushing. Without the useless presence of now-vanished Joseph Randle, McFadden could have had an even bigger year behind the best offensive line he’s ever run behind.
More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth
- West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
- Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
- Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
- Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Jourdan Lewis a tradeable asset?
Turning 29 years-old in August, the time is certainly now for the Cowboys to be looking for the long-term future at running back. Even if McFadden is worthy of an extension following the ’16 season, it wouldn’t likely keep this two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up in Dallas for more than a couple more seasons.
In this case, a great place to look for that ‘bell cow’ that the Cowboys seem to lack is the very same campus that McFadden and Jones come from.
There’s been perhaps more attention and speculation directed towards Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry as a future member of the Cowboys – tight end Jason Witten is starting to get long in the tooth and a future prospect is needed here as well.
In addition to Henry, running back Alex Collins figures to be a second-day draft choice during the annual selection meeting – or sooner – and his place in the Cowboys offense would be highly welcomed.
Collins brings a decorated resume which includes three 1,000-yard rushing seasons while at Fayetteville. If not for the presence of Alabama running back Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, and Leonard Fournette of LSU, Collin’s likeness would be more well known as a top rusher in the SEC.
This Arkansas running back is fun to watch. At first glance he’ll remind you of Marion Barber III, especially with those long dreads hanging out of his helmet. After watching a few plays, however, you’ll notice that Collins has more explosion than Barber had. His size-to-speed combination looks very much like Emmitt Smith.
Collins has vision and is remarkably adept at avoiding tacklers in the backfield. This isn’t the same as simply breaking tackles before reaching the line of scrimmage. Collins actually freezes front line defenders in ways that smaller, quicker backs often do. His ability to somehow squeeze through tight spaces and pull away at the second level is quite impressive.
In other words, Collins is big enough to be big, but small enough to be small. He really has a unique combination of skills, which includes catching passes out of the backfield, that look to translate quite well in the NFL. After watching Collins’ bigger plays in the video above, you’ll see many similarities between the plays that Collins is successful at and the ones currently run frequently by Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.
Next: Cowboys: What SB50 Teaches Us
No, selecting this former Arkansas football player would not fall into a questionable category on the part of Jones at all. Grabbing this runner as early as the second round would be a wise decision. Somehow grabbing him in the third round would be the same kind of steal that second-round selection Randy Gregory was considered last April.