After releasing longtime running back Ezekiel Elliott last month, the Dallas Cowboys officially gave the backfield keys to Tony Pollard. And while it came as no surprise following a career-worst season, the loss of Elliott still impacts the Cowboys heading into 2023.
But despite quarterback Dak Prescott lobbying for the potential return of the three-time Pro Bowler Elliott, there is a sentiment to move along - and ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson believes Dallas should target a home-state option in Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
"Makes all the sense in the world," Johnson said. "Geographic location is right there, Jerry (Jones) loves to take kids from the Texas area and put them on his team."
A three-year starter for the Longhorns, Robinson racked up 1,894 yards from scrimmage in 2022, to go along with 18 rushing touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry.
"He's like a Marshall Faulk," Johnson noted. "Can catch the ball out of the backfield, he can run between the tackles, he can run on the perimeter."
It is a lofty comparison for Robinson to live up to Faulk, a Hall of Famer and the 2000 season MVP. Bijan, by the way, is also drawing comparisons to Barry Sanders, so ... yes. Lofty.
For quite some time, Dallas has been linked to selecting Robinson, and Keyshawn, himself a former Cowboys, is making his case.
"If for some reason, he falls to No. 26 or somewhere in that area where they can move up to go get him, you go get him," Johnson said. "The Dallas Cowboys aren't like other teams, they're not afraid to take backs in the first round so it makes all the sense in the world. They need somebody to replace Zeke."
You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard
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