The Cowboys Must Draft One of These Three Running Backs in 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner and the Dallas Cowboys' backfield still has much room for improvement. After losing Tony Pollard to free agency, the Cowboys haven't done anything to address their running back room outside of re-signing last year's RB2, Rico Dowdle.

Given the team's lack of presence in free agency, it's likely that Dallas will address its RB need at the draft. Although this year's class is lacking when it comes to elite running back prospects, there are still plenty of serviceable rushers that the Cowboys can find on all three days of the draft.

Here are three running backs that the Cowboys should target in Las Vegas later this month.

Early Pick: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

If the Cowboys want to use their second-round pick to find a new No. 1 RB, they must target Texas' Jonathon Brooks.

Brooks has been one of the more popular potential Pollard replacements among Cowboys fans this offseason. Although the 2023 campaign was the 20-year-old's first as the Longhorns' lead back, Brooks made the most of his opportunities, turning 187 carries into 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while hauling in 25 catches for another 286 yards and a score.

Unfortunately, Brooks' final college season wasn't perfect. The second-team All-Big 12 RB's campaign came to a premature end when he tore his ACL in a game against TCU in November. The good news is that his rehab has been positive thus far and all signs point to his being ready by training camp.

Brooks boasts a terrific combination of speed and power when healthy, making him one of the more well-rounded RB prospects. The fact that he's also a Texas-born player who played for the Longhorns will help him become a fan favorite that much quicker.

Considering how explosive the Cowboys' offense can be, it's easy to imagine him thriving in Mike McCarthy's system.

Mid-Round Pick: RB Ray Davis, Kentucky

If the Cowboys want to wait until the middle rounds to target, that's perfectly fine because there will be plenty of options left on the board. One of those will likely be Kentucky's Ray Davis.

After playing two seasons apiece at Tempe and Vanderbilt, Davis transferred to Kentucky for the 2023 season. The move turned out to be the right decision as it resulted in the 24-year-old setting new career highs in rushing yards (1,129), receiving yards (323), and total touchdowns (21) across 13 games. In fact, his 21-TD performance was good enough for the best in the SEC.

Davis isn't the fastest RB and his pass-blocking could be better, but the positives outweigh the negatives. Scouts consistently praise his powerful rushing style, as well as his ability to exploit gaps to help find the end zone. The Cowboys could use a player like that after their RB room combined for just seven red-zone rushing TDs last year.

Even if he isn't the perfect prospect, it's clear that Davis is the perfect project for the Cowboys to mold into their RB1 for years to come.

Late-Round Pick: RB Kendall Milton, Georgia

There's always the possibility that the Cowboys won't address their RB situation until one of the later rounds. After all, three of the last four running backs that Dallas drafted were taken in either Round 6 or 7 with the only exception being when Pollard was a fourth-round selection in 2019.

If that's the case, I can see the Cowboys target Georgia's Kendall Milton.

Milton's playing opportunities with the Bulldogs grew over his four-year tenure, resulting in a 2023 breakout campaign. Splitting backfield duties with Daijun Edwards, Milton turned a career-high 121 carries into 790 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. His final five games were his best run as he hit the 100-yard mark three times while finishing four contests with two TDs.

There's plenty of room for Milton to improve, especially when it comes to blocking and pass-catching. Having said that, the Cowboys can focus on his strength — running the ball — while delegating passing downs to Dowdle and Vaughn. Milton doesn't even turn 23 until next February, so there's still plenty of time for him to improve in his weaker areas.

If the Cowboys want to return to being a force in the trenches, Milton is worth a look on Day 3.

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