Dallas Cowboys 7-round mock draft: The need for speed
WITH THE 128TH PICK IN THE 2023 NFL DRAFT THE DALLAS COWBOYS SELECT:
Pick Analysis. RUNNING BACK. 128. player. Scouting Report. East Carolina. Keaton Mitchell. 123
Whether recent rumors are true or not about the Dallas Cowboys placing the franchise tag on Running Back Tony Pollard, the team should be in the market to draft another ball carrier. So, when East Carolina’s Keaton Mitchell is still available in the 4th round the card goes to the podium.
Wondering if Pollard will be the same guy should he come back to the Cowboys remains a valid question. The front office will have to be prepared. Pollard proved to not only be the most explosive player on the Dallas offense, but in terms of burst and speed, he was alone in that category.
The team fixed that issue by drafting Tank Dell in the 2nd round, but they aren’t content to stop there. To add to their new found track team, the Cowboys visit the home of speedy former back Chris Johnson.
Mitchell brings the speed and quickness element the Cowboys lacked in 2022. In his final year with ECU Mitchell ran for 1452 yards and 14 touchdowns on 201 carries for an incredible 7.2ypc average. He added 580 receiving yards and 3 scores on 60 receptions throughout his collegiate career.
His size and competition is rightfully questioned. Standing at 5’9″ 188lbs, Mitchell is one of a large handful of smaller backs that will catch teams eyes. The difference is Mitchell has great finishing ability to go along with the acceleration and breaks. He has natural hands and gives Dak Prescott another pass catching option. Size will limit him running the A and B gaps, as well as in pass protection, but the Cowboys are done pulling up the rear in the offensive skills player’s track meet.