Cowboys draft: Bijan Robinson an exception to not drafting RB in 1st spherical

Choosing Texas RB Bijan Robinson at 26 may very well be a terrific decide for the Cowboys. It might not be the identical as drafting a RB with the fourth general decide.

• By
  
  ChrisHalling
  
• on March 3, 2023 5:00 pm

League executives are beginning to decide up on the pattern of avoiding working backs within the first spherical of the NFL draft. It’s straightforward to seek out high-producing backs exterior of the primary spherical of the draft. For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired nice manufacturing from RB Isiah Pacheco this season; he was drafted within the seventh spherical. Not solely him, however high-paid working backs haven’t been a function within the Super Bowl since 2009.

Even Dallas Cowboys’ govt Stephen Jones acknowledged on the mix that deciding on a working again excessive within the first spherical is just not sensible anymore.

“Should you’re up there within the high 10, it’s laborious to take them there. You positively, in case you’re taking a participant within the high half, you’re hoping you bought a participant that’s going to be right here 10 years. And it’s robust for working backs to final 10 years. There’s not many Emmitt Smiths or guys that play that lengthy.”

It appears as if the Jones household has discovered after deciding on Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth decide within the 2016 draft. Whereas he was an exceptional participant for the primary three seasons after being drafted, it’s honest to say that the heavy-workload burnt out Elliott, and now the Cowboys are in a tough spot with him financially in 2023.

What Jones mentioned is right, it’s time to transfer on from deciding on a RB within the high 10 of the draft, no matter his expertise. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be utilized to choosing at 26 within the draft, which is the place the Cowboys stand proper now.

The Cowboys are in search of gamers who could make an impression proper now. The group has a window of alternative to make a run at a Tremendous Bowl with a weak NFC convention and a really gifted roster. If Texas Longhorns RB Bijan Robinson remains to be on the board at decide 26, this can be very possible that he’s essentially the most gifted participant left on the board. Robinson was a workhorse at Texas within the 2022 season, speeding 258 instances for 1,580 speeding yards and 18 speeding touchdowns. He additionally may be very able to being impactful as a move blocker and a receiver as nicely.

Drafting a working again within the first spherical is probably not the wisest long-term choice for the Cowboys. However the entrance workplace must be targeted extra on the short-term with their present state of affairs. It is a group that’s just some items away from being a severe Tremendous Bowl contender. Working again is just not among the many highest positions of want for the Cowboys roster, however deciding on Robinson may repay. It might be higher to draft a particularly gifted prospect who can contribute day one than deciding on a place of want who has a decrease ceiling of manufacturing for the group.

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