The Dallas Cowboys’ goal in the 2013 NFL Draft should be to beef up their running game.
The Cowboys are 6-6 with four tough games (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Washington) remaining. It’s very likely he’ll miss another season of even making the playoffs. One of the main reasons for the disappointing season is a pedestrian ground game. It’s fashionable to say that the NFL is all about passing, but a balanced offense and stingy defense still result in a lot of wins.
Dallas is near the bottom of the NFL in 2012 with just 277 rushes for 989 yards (3.6 per person) and 6 touchdowns. Last season, the Cowboys ranked 24th in rushing attempts, 30th in rushing touchdowns (only 5!) and 18th in yards. Not producing a strong running game puts tremendous pressure on Tony Romo to make plays.
The offensive line is the first place to assess when a team can’t run the ball. Dallas has talent at the skill position, but not much in the trenches. Left tackle Tyron Smith is the only talented Dallas offensive lineman whose best playing days are yet to come. Right tackle Doug Free has regressed and is struggling with pass protection. Free has been average as a run blocker and a position the Cowboys thought they were established at could improve.
The interior of Dallas’ offensive line is the unit’s weakest area. The days of Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton and Larry Allen are behind us. The Cowboys are so weak at center that they really miss, due to injury, an average Phil Costa. Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau have been mediocre at guard. G Chance Warmack (Alabama), C Barrett Jones (Alabama), RT DJ Fluker (Alabama), G Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina), C Khaled Holmes (USC), G/OT Dallas Thomas (Tennessee), and G Larry Warford ( Kentucky) ) ) should all be on the team’s radar. The 2013 NFL draft is solid if a team needs offensive linemen. Dallas could use the addition of a couple of quality young offensive linemen to help strengthen its running offense. This would only help Tony Romo and the defense.
The Cowboys are also kidding themselves if they think they’re set on running back with DeMarco Murray. The former Oklahoma star is a good running back, but he has trouble avoiding leg injuries. Murray struggled to stay healthy in college and his first two NFL seasons have been marred by injuries. His broken ankle ended a strong rookie season in 2011 and a sprained foot ligament cost him 6 games this season. He makes Dallas fans even more amazed at Emmitt Smith’s durability.
DeMarco Murray is part of the solution at running back, but his relatively long legs for a running back and lack of a low center of gravity aren’t conducive to 16 games handling the load. Murray needs help and Felix Jones is not the partner to match him. Jones has average vision and struggles to stay healthy. The former first-round pick (22nd-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft) never justified the high pick and the Cowboys shouldn’t give up. Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State), Eddie Lacy (Alabama), Giovanni Bernard (North Carolina) and Montee Ball (Wisconsin) are running backs the Cowboys will watch closely in the upcoming draft.
The Dallas Cowboys have a rich tradition of running the ball. Rebuilding the offensive line (especially the interior) and finding the right back to pair with DeMarco Murray could be the team’s ticket back to the playoffs and even postseason success.