Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft has 3 RBs in Rd 1, none to Cowboys
The NFL scouting combine is now less than 10 days away, with the first group of participants scheduled to take the field for testing and drills between February 27 and March 2. That window will finalize the on-field portion of draft board building, with teams still maneuvering prospects up and down based on scheme fit and personalities.
For now though, mock drafts are still relying on game film and evaluations, and it’s always fun to see where various draftniks see certain prospects as fitting best with team needs. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently checked in with his 2.0 mock of the first round with an interesting twist.
For those who believe that running backs shouldn’t go in the first round, they should be prepared to be disappointed. Jeremiah has three backs all having their names called on Day 1 of the draft, but none of them are shipped to the Dallas Cowboys.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson were all picked in the 20s, long after Dallas selected Mississippi State DT Walter Nolen.
Nolen is a very twitchy disrupter and could replace Osa Odighizuwa if he departs in free agency.
Nolen was the apple of the eye of Cowboys Wire’s most recent seven-round mock draft, so the sentiment is strong that he’d be a great fit for Dallas.
Jeremiah shipped Jeanty to the Steelers at No. 21, Hampton to the Chargers at No. 22 and Henderson to the Vikings at No. 24. Each of those teams are likely to see their current top backs depart in free agency.
Najee Harris, JK Dobbins and Aaron Jones are among the biggest names at the position in free agency, along with the Cowboys’ Rico Dowdle. Dowdle checked in with a 1,000-yard season in his first year getting extended snaps. If he departs, perhaps the Cowboys fill his void with one of those other names in free agency.