The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a massive need at running back. The cash-strapped Cowboys allowed last year’s starter Tony Pollard to leave in free agency. Pollard signed a three-year contract worth $21 million with the Tennessee Titans. Pollard leaves Dallas as a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher.
Pollard’s departure leaves Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Snoop Conner as the remaining running backs on Dallas’ roster. Those four players have combined for 628 career rushing yards. That ranks dead last across the league.
The Cowboys must draft an instant starter at running back to replace Pollard. The No. 56 overall selection should be safeguarded for a ball-carrying contributor. We've swiftly identified three running backs Dallas should target.
TREY BENSON, FLORIDA STATE
Trey Benson is arguably the most complete running back prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Seminoles standout possesses the size, speed, and power required to project as an impactful lead back in an NFL offense. Benson is a big-play threat as a smooth accelerator who plants his foot with instant jump-cut ability.
Benson strengthened his chances to be the first running back drafted with an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot, 216-pound Benson ran a 4.39 40 with a 1.52 10-yard split. Benson also displayed lower-body explosion via a 10-foot-2 broad. Benson possesses terrific power in his lower half.
The Greenville, Mississippi native rushed for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns this past season. Benson also has three-down potential, accounting for nearly 400 receiving yards across the previous two campaigns. Benson would hit the ground running in Dallas.
JONATHON BROOKS, TEXAS
Jonathon Brooks took advantage of his opportunity to play an expanded role in an explosive Texas offense this past season. The Longhorns performer rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns via 187 carries. Brooks averaged an effective 6.1 yards per carry for an offense that carried the program to a College Football Playoff appearance.
The Hallettsville native also doubled as a pass-catching threat for quarterback Quinn Ewers out of the backfield. Brooks added 25 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown to his 2023 offensive totals. Brooks' pre-draft stock was muddied by a season-ending ACL injury suffered in November but arrived at the NFL Combine without a knee brace.
Brooks expects to receive medical clearance by July 1, a timeline that would make him a complete participant throughout training camp and the preseason. That should ease Dallas' concerns as they consider drafting him with a top-100 selection.
MARSHAWN LLOYD, USC
The chatter at the Senior Bowl was that MarShawn Lloyd had an opportunity to be the first back drafted. Lloyd thrived in Lincoln Riley’s offense this past season. The Wilmington, Delaware native rushed for a career-high 820 yards and nine touchdowns. Lloyd averaged an explosive 7.1 yards per carry.
Lloyd was a standout tester among his peers at the NFL Combine as well. The former Stanford transfer ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. Lloyd also had a 36-inch vertical. Strength was displayed via 25 reps on the bench press.
