Three RBs the Cowboys should target in the 2024 NFL Draft

Running back is one of the Dallas Cowboys' biggest needs after Tony Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75M deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Last season, former Pro Bowler rushed for the 12th-most yards (1,005 in 17 games) in the league and scored six touchdowns, but Dallas' other RBs struggled. None of them ran for more than 400 yards, and the Cowboys finished 15th in the league in rushing yards (113.5). 

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Dallas and free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott are interested in a reunion. However, he rushed for 642 yards in 17 games with the Patriots last season, meaning he's no longer a viable RB1. With that in mind, here are three RBs the Cowboys should target in the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25-27. 

Jonathon Brooks, Texas 

Brooks suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November, but he's expected to be ready for training camp. The 20-year-old rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 TDs on 187 carries in 11 games in 2023. Pro Football Focus also gave him a 91.5 grade, the ninth-best at his position.

ESPN's Matt Miller rates Brooks as the best RB in this draft class and compares him to former Pro Bowler Aaron Jones (Vikings). 

"He's speedy with good cadence and body lean, and he also has enough vision and burst through the hole to average 6.1 yards per carry," Miller wrote. "A November ACL injury pushed his stock into Round 2, but Brooks has NFL starter traits and a ton of upside with just 238 career carries."

Despite the injury concern, Brooks could be worth the risk for the Cowboys. According to Tankathon, Dallas will take him with the 56th overall pick.  

Trey Benson, Florida State

Benson showcased excellent speed at the scouting combine, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, third at his position. The 6-foot, 216-pounder rushed for 906 yards on 156 carries in 13 games and had 20 receptions for 227 yards. Some analysts believe he has untapped potential.

"Benson is a classic profile of a back who will be more productive at the next level than he was in college if he lands in the right situation," wrote Sam Monson of PFF. "All of the traits that teams look for are right there to be exploited."

Benson's upside is one reason Dallas is keeping him on its radar. Per Cowboys staff writer Nick Harris, they've scheduled a top-30 visit with the 21-year-old.

Bucky Irving, Oregon

Harris added the Cowboys also scheduled a top-30 visit with Irving, which is a bit of a surprise. He lacks prototypical size (5-foot-9, 192 pounds) and ran an underwhelming 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

His ability to avoid tackles may compensate for those weaknesses. 

According to PFF, he forced 69 missed tackles in 14 games, tied for 11th in the FBS. 

"Irving is so compact and strong on contact that he can bounce off tackles with good balance," wrote PFF's Trevor Sikkema. "But he also has the fast footwork to put his foot in the ground and make a hard cut to put defenders on a highlight reel." 

In 2023, Irving rushed for 1,180 yards on 186 carries and tallied 56 receptions for 413 yards. He could give the Cowboys backfield the juice it needs.