NFL analysts question if Cowboys should use first-round pick on another top RB

"There has been more than a little chatter about taking a running back high in the draft," wrote The Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw."Perhaps even moving up to grab the prized back of the draft (Robinson). None of this is logical."

Historically, selecting RBs in the first round worked out for the Cowboys. They selected Pro Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett (1977) and Emmitt Smith (1990) — the league's all-time rushing leader. So it would be a surprise to see them show little to no interest in Robinson, a 2022 Doak Walker Award Winner and No. 1 RB in the class, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

However, drafting RBs in the first round is no longer essential since their usage rates have plummeted.

Per ESPN's Bill Barnwell, from 1996 to 2006, an average of 9.5 RBs recorded 300 carries. Over the past 10 seasons, RBs only registered 300 carries or more 17 times.

"One of the reasons to take a back in the first round is the idea of landing the sort of player who can be the focal point of an offense," wrote Barnwell. "That back just doesn't exist in the modern NFL."

Dallas tried to buck the trend when it selected Ezekiel Elliott in 2016. Although he made three Pro Bowls in seven seasons, it recently released the 27-year-old to save cap room.

Additionally, Dallas already has an RB1, Pro Bowler Tony Pollard. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 17 games last season, seventh in the NFL.

Supporters of Robinson will argue his talent outweighs the skepticism. He was a 2022 first-team All-American and rushed for 1,580 yards in 12 games last season, sixth in the FBS.

Regardless, the problem is Robinson has to be a significant outlier to prove that Dallas should ignore overwhelming data and select another RB in the first round.