Dallas Cowboys Complete 7-Round Mock Draft V2.2: Building for the Present and Future
By FS Staff
With the 173rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select: Darrel Williams, Running Back, LSU
When Ezekiel Elliott was forced to sit out 6 games in 2017 due to suspension, the Cowboys run game and offense as a whole struggled mightily. The run game especially lost its effectiveness and home run ability. Adding another running back like LSU’s Darrel Williams would bring another level of physicality to the backfield and provide insurance should Elliott be forced to miss time.
In 2017, Williams rushed for 820 yards on 145 attempts. That comes out to 5.6 yards per carry. He finished the season with 9 touchdowns. While those numbers may not be impressive as other backs, that is due to him being the compliment to Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice during his collegiate career.
That is likely what he will remain doing in the NFL. With Ezekiel Elliott bound to handle the lion’s share of the carries, Williams would only be used in certain circumstances. He is a physical runner who can come in when Elliott needs a breather. He is a larger back, like LeGarrette Blount for example, who can handle short-yardage situations.
On the Cowboys, he is the perfect back to line up in the I-Formation and pound the rock into the end zone or convert on 3rd and short. He also has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. With Elliott and Williams, the Cowboys offense would be that much more dynamic.