The second round might be the right running back spot for the Cowboys.
The idea of taking a running back in the first round is one that very few NFL fanbases approve of in today’s day and age. Discussions about the position and its worth have run rampant over the last decade or so, and while we all acknowledge that there is a legitimate value to it, that does not change the idea that spending premium draft capital there feels unwise.
Consider our Wednesday discussion post here at BTB where we asked the class how they would feel about a running back at 12 (the likely option is Omarion Hampton to be clear). 42% led the way in terms of biggest majority and it was in being against the notion.
Maybe you voted no on the poll and maybe it was because Hampton was the runner who is most likely the pick at 12 specifically given that Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty will likely be gone. As noted, if Dallas takes a running back at 12 the most logical option is indeed Hampton which is arguably why Mel Kiper sent him to Dallas in his latest mock.
Beyond the cost of spending your most valuable draft asset on the position, the argument against a running back in the first round is generally that the position can be addressed elsewhere. Earlier this week our own Danny Phantom offered an exercise that gave an opportunity to assemble the best haul in the first round where running back, wide receiver and cornerback were each addressed. He noted that commenters were welcome to bring forth their preferred combination and this was one of the most rec’d solutions presented.
BlueFlash presented Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) and Jacob Parrish (Kansas State). Wide receiver, running back and cornerback all get love in this scenario.
If you browse the rest of the comments the most popular/rec’d answers tend to offer Henderson in the second round. It feels pretty consensus that this would be a great direction for Dallas to go in.
Consider that recently ESPN’s Jordan Reid noted that it seems more likely, in his estimation at least, that the Cowboys would go running back in the second round. He specifically noted Henderson as an option along with his fellow Buckeye in Quinshon Judkins.
What we’re hearing about the Cowboys’ draft: The Cowboys have been open about needing an explosive receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, with Matthew Golden (Texas) being heavily linked to them at the No. 12 pick. Running back is also a need for Dallas. While there has been talk about the Cowboys taking Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) at No. 12, it seems more likely that they’ll use their second-round pick on a runner. The team has expressed interest in Ohio State running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in that spot. — Reid
Thankfully it appears that the board is likely going to fall this way for the Cowboys. It is possible that things even go so well for them that they are able to pull off some sequence like this after even trading back in the first round.
But for the Omarion Hampton fans, running back at 12 seems to be the most inefficient way to go about building this year’s draft class. Who disagrees?
