Replacing DeMarco Murray is no small task for the Dallas Cowboys. While Jerry Jones showed quality big picture thinking by refusing to give Murray a mammoth contract, there is no doubt that the Cowboys are weaker right now because of it. No disrespect to Darren McFadden, but Dallas needs to upgrade at the running back position if they hope to repeat as NFC East champions.
The NFL Draft offers a unique opportunity to add a ball carrier but not in the way you are thinking. Grantland's Bill Barnwell proposed a hypothetical draft day trade that makes some sense. What if the Cowboys sent the No. 27 overall pick and a fourth-rounder to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the No. 28 overall pick and running back Montee Ball?
"We know the Cowboys are going to do something to address their running back position in this year's draft after losing DeMarco Murray to the Eagles," Barnwell wrote. "While they will likely draft a running back this weekend, this trade would give them a buy-low candidate with significant upside.
"Montee Ball has fallen out of favor in Denver, where fumble issues and injury woes cause him to tumble down the depth chart in each of his first two seasons. C.J. Anderson has taken over as the primary back in Denver, and while the new Gary Kubiak regime may give Ball a third chance to take over as the starting back, it wouldn't be out of the question to wonder whether a change of scenery could be best for both Ball and the Broncos. Denver could move up one spot and get an extra pick for a player who doesn't appear to be in their plans, while Dallas would pay just $1.3 million over the next two seasons to take a look at a back whose patience and versatility should play up in Texas."
Could Ball bounce back from two disappointing seasons behind a Dallas offensive line that features three first-round picks? It's more than possible.
