Everyone always makes such a big deal about the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line. And they should. The Cowboys led the NFL in adjusted line yards (which measures run-blocking ability) and will return all five starters this season. Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick and Zach Martin will all be 27 or younger this year.
But Dallas needed every single one of running back DeMarco Murray's 2,261 total yards last season to make the playoffs. He proved to be Dallas' MVP and an integral part of their post-season run. No offense to Darren McFadden, but the Cowboys aren't going to find it so easy to replace Murray, who fled for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
But they certainly will try. Dallas has been linked to both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon in the NFL Draft. They've even been whispered as a favorite to land Adrian Peterson should he be put on the trading block. But all of those scenarios require sacrificing an early round pick for a running back and that just doesn't happen anymore. No running back has been selected in the first-round of the draft since 2012 and the Vikings would likely want some high-end compensation for Peterson who recently turned 30. I just don't see it happening.
Instead, the Cowboys should look to the later rounds in what is a deep draft for running backs. USC rusher Buck Allen not only has the most football name you've ever heard, but he's also a worthy selection on Day 3 of the draft.
"At 6-feet and 221 pounds, Allen is a big back with the vision to make the most of the blocking he'd get in Dallas, and he doesn't have to come off the field on third down, either. He is an above-average route runner for the position, and he catches the ball well," Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. wrote.
Allen rushed for 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns with a 5.4 yards per carry average for the Trojans last season. He also hauled in 41 catches for 458 yards.
