Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently that the team's running game will be even better than last year's. Right, and I'm going to be the No. 1 pick in the next NFL draft.
With the departure of the NFL's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray this offseason, it's hard to see Dallas' running game taking a giant leap forward after ranking second in yards per game (147.1) last year. But that doesn't mean that it can't be one of the better rushing offenses in the league again.
No, Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams don't inspire a ton of confidence. But this team's offensive line sure does. Left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and guard Zack Martin are all former first-round picks who are continuing to develop. Undrafted free agent La'El Collins has first round talent and is expected to eventually start at left guard. Dallas has an internal belief that their line can make up for any deficiencies their ball carriers might have.
But Randle doesn't have many on the field. Off the field, he has a lot of baggage. He was arrested for shoplifting and investigated for domestic violence in recent months though no charges were ultimately filed. But his talent is evident to ESPN reporter Jean-Jacques Taylor.
"The natural progression of a backup is to show improvement for a couple of seasons and then get an opportunity to take over," Taylor wrote.
"Well, Randle did a solid job as a rookie, and he was even better last season averaging 6.7 on 51 carries. He showed an ability to run between the tackles and score from long distance with touchdown runs of 40 and 65, which speaks to his vision.
"You could certainly make the argument his 38-yard run up the middle against Seattle with the Cowboys trailing 10-0 was among the season's biggest plays.
"The Cowboys scored at the end of the drive to pull to within three points en route to their 30-23 upset win over the Seahawks.
"And he showed he could pick up the blitz and block the way he did on Terrance Williams' 43-yard touchdown catch against Indianapolis that pushed the Cowboys lead to 42-0 in the win that clinched the NFC East title."
McFadden is not nearly the same player he once was earlier in his career and Ryan Williams has never fully recovered from a torn patella tendon. Lance Dunbar is solid yet unspectacular. That leaves Randle with the highest upside of any rusher on this team. He'll have his chance to prove to the Cowboys that he can be a lead back.
