Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys had quite a few position needs. Left tackle was the most visible, but running back wasn't far behind. tony pollard He left Dallas as a free agent and instead signed with the Tennessee Titans.
Most thought Jerry Jones would make a second-day pick, but he ultimately didn't get a running back in his draft class, but FOX's Joel Klatt understands the move. There wasn't.
Jonathan Brooks Jones was the one the Cowboys publicly acknowledged had interest in him. But he went 46th overall to the Carolina Panthers, 10 spots ahead of Dallas' second-round pick.
“Jonathan Brooks is leaving,” Klatt said. “And I'm thinking to myself, 'You know, that's probably good for Dallas.' Just try to be patient, and then in the third round he'll get two or he'll get three.” You will be able to choose.”
Klatt had three other guys on his big board that he liked. florida's trey benson, michigan's blake columand University of Southern California's marshawn lloyd. By the time Dallas got time back, Benson was already gone, but they had a chance to acquire one of the remaining two players.
“So we go into the third round. They had two picks in the third round… They take the guard. cooper beebe out of Kansas. It's interesting because there is no consensus at the top of Interior's offensive line. ”
Considering Dallas also needed a starting center, it's not a pick that can be knocked too hard. Although Beebe did not play at Canas State, Cowboys officials are confident he can apply after going through rookie minicamp and training camp.
The next time Dallas was scheduled to pick again at No. 87, the Rams took Colm and had what Klatt thought was a golden opportunity…until the Rams went in a completely different direction.
“So, at least in my estimation, there's only one left now,” Klatt said of Lloyd. “So now the Cowboys have the No. 2 pick in the third round and need a running back. And they take Marist Refor from notre dame cathedral. Linebacker, off-the-ball linebacker. Off-the-ball linebacker. Understood, (Leighton) Vander Esch, the whole situation. They need it too.
“Then the next pick will be Marshawn Lloyd with the Green Bay Packers, who will probably play at some point in the playoffs.”
The Cowboys have been killed by Green Bay's running backs the last few seasons, most notably in this year's wild-card playoff game in Arlington. aaron jones He gained 118 yards and scored three touchdowns en route to the big win at AT&T Stadium.
Green Bay needed a running back after releasing Jones this offseason. Lloyd will be their partner going forward, someone Klatt says is “sometimes the best on the team” because of his health, low workload and home run ability.
“This is one of those picks where you look back in a year and say to yourself, 'Remember when Dallas passed on Marshawn Lloyd in the third round?'” please. ” Marshawn Lloyd could be the running back to go for 100 or 125 yards against Dallas in important situations when Dallas doesn't have an answer. ”
Since the draft, the Cowboys have signed Ezekiel Elliott But as Klatt points out, a one-year deal is far from a long-term solution. He thought Dallas needed someone for the future and to give the position a little more stability.
Instead, Elliott is currently scheduled to be the RB1 during the presumed backup Rico Doodle He resigned from the team this offseason. deuce vaughn He was drafted by Kansas State last season, but didn't have much of a chance to play in the regular season in 2023.
If the draft comes off and it comes right back and bites you, it can cause stomach pain. Running back could be the position for the Cowboys in the near future.
