FRISCO — The Cowboys didn't take a running back in this draft.
But they have quarterback Trey Lance.
What does one have to do with the other? This draft unfolded exactly like that.
Dallas sent a fourth-round pick for Lance to San Francisco before the start of the regular season. Eight months later, the 49ers reversed course and used their No. 124 pick to take safety Malik Mustafa.
Again, what does that have to do with the Cowboys ignoring what they seem to need to run back to? Four of the five players selected after Mustafa and five of the next 10 were running backs. Four of them, Bucky Irving, Ray Davis, Isaac Guerendo and Braylon Allen, had interest in the Cowboys.
An escape was in progress at that location.
“A lot of times, the question is really, really stick with the board,” said Executive Vice President Stephen Jones. “Even though it felt like the situation was always meant for us to make a choice and do the right thing, it was never the time to run away.”
Only a back four was available in the first two days of the draft.
When Dallas got time back for the first time Saturday at No. 174, there were 16 backs off the board. Five players were selected in the fifth round, with the last one in that group advancing just ahead of the Cowboys.
Dallas selected corner Kaelen Carson. When the Cowboys took linebacker Marist Liufau late in the third round, he was actually in the conversation, two people familiar with the team's board of directors said. dallas morning news.
“Obviously we had a group of running backs and we had to watch 75 guys leave,” Jones said. “We had some full-backs to consider but it just didn’t work out.
“At the end of the day, people stay true to their true nature.”
Jones telegraphed the lack of activity late Friday night, saying the club had a chance to acquire a fourth- or fifth-round pick by moving back all three picks on the second day of the draft. Ta. They chose to stay put because they didn't want to risk losing defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, offensive lineman Cooper Beebe or Liufau.
The Cowboys would have needed to trade next year's draft pick to move back to the fourth or fifth round on Saturday. Jones said it's usually better to “stand back and not do something like that.”
Exception: When a player stands out like a flashing light.
Eric Scott did that last year too. The reason Dallas didn't get the No. 5 pick Saturday is because they sent that pick to Kansas City for the No. 6 Southern Mississippi corner in 2023.
None of the Bucks had that light flashing in this draft.
Lance subconsciously pressed the dimmer button.
“We think Lance is a good addition for the future,” owner Jerry Jones said. “I drafted him here in this draft as if he were our draft pick.”
What now? The Cowboys will use a committee system. The group currently consists of Rico Doodle, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, and Royce Freeman.
The committee should get excited soon as the organization welcomes back an old friend.
Negotiations are underway with Ezekiel Elliott. Jerry Jones told reporters that the Cowboys “have a strong interest in what the future looks like with Zeke,” and in his mind Elliott could still star in a committee approach. He added that he could.
During the Cowboys' post-draft press conference Saturday evening, Stephen Jones looked at his cell phone and said the team was actively working on signing several veteran players. He did not mention Elliott's name.
That was understood.
“We have every opportunity to address this setback and we feel like we can do it,” Jones said.
If Mike McCarthy was bothered by the club's inability to upgrade its running back room during the draft, it didn't show.
“I like our group,” the Cowboys head coach said. “I feel really good about our situation today.
“And like Stephen said, it's not over.”
Catch David Moore on Cowboys Happy Hour on Tuesday nights in April at 7pm on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM).
Twitter/X: @DavidMooreDMN
Detailed information for Day 3
— Forget about free agency.The Dallas Cowboys need to make a big impact from their 2023 and 2024 draft classes.
— Cowboys' Marshawn Kneeland has important opportunity to learn from and watch DeMarcus Lawrence
— What did Trey Lance have to do with the Dallas Cowboys passing on a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft?
— The Dallas Cowboys are not only devaluing the running back position, they're also giving up runs.
— Cowboys 2024 Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: What talent did Dallas acquire after the NFL Draft?
—Dallas Cowboys select Auburn DT Justin Rodgers with 244th overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft
— 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Our experts evaluate Cowboys' Day 3 selections, new rookie class
— Cowboys select OT Nathan Thomas of Louisiana Lafayette with 233rd overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft
— Cowboys select Ryan Flournoy from Southeast Missouri State University with the 216th overall pick in the NFL Draft
— Dallas Cowboys select Wake Forest cornerback Kaylen Carson with the 174th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
Read more Cowboys coverage from the Dallas Morning News here.
