Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Dallas trades back, collects Earl Thomas
By Reid Hanson
![ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/09abb8dc4f7cc90608515702a1f73046248009c914a611d7ae113229c6979c49.jpg)
Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
Nyheim Hines is still my ideal target for the Cowboys’ 3rd running back, but I have a feeling he’s going to go before the Cowboys pick in the fourth round. And giving up a 3rd for Hines is a little too rich for my blood considering all of Dallas’ needs.
Picking Josh Adams is about value more than anything. Josh Adams and that strong Notre Dame offensive line dominated college football last season. Running for 1,430 yards and nine touchdowns, the 6’2” 220lbs bruiser bullied and dashed his way to a 6.9 yards per carry average as the Irish workhorse.
He’s not the scat-back or change of pace running back Dallas is typically looking for to fill the role of RB3 behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rod Smith, but he’s a guy that can step into a bigger role and carry the load when called upon.
Adams is another high-character team guy to add to the locker room. He’s not a great pass protector but the Dallas Cowboys will probably want to keep Zeke in on most 3rd downs anyways (Zeke is a great pass protector, not to mention a feared pass target).
Adams doesn’t bounce it outside very often and does most of his damage between the tackles. Watching him play is reminiscent of former Giant, Brandon Jacobs. He’s a big guy who delivers big hits behinds his pads. And if he gets his momentum going…good luck.
Defensive backfields are going to hate tacking him.