Can Cowboys Pass On Round 1 RB Now?

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has been outstanding since taking over lead backfield duties for Mike McCarthy. Dowdle rushed for a career-high 131 yards in Monday's thrilling primetime defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. His recent emergence has made it less likely that Dallas will select a running back with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Bengals' porous run defense had no answer for Dowdle, who averaged an explosive 7.3 yards per carry. Dowdle didn't reach the end zone, but his performance continued his recent break-outs.

In an unexpected Week 12 victory over the Washington Commanders, Dowdle rushed for 86 yards via 19 carries. He averaged 4.5 yards per opportunity. Dowdle followed that up with a 112-yard, one-touchdown showing in a second consecutive victory, a 27-20 triumph over the New York Giants.

Since replacing Ezekiel Elliott as the lead back, Dowdle is averaging 99 rushing yards per contest and 5.17 yards per carry.

The Cowboys have routinely been connected to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty throughout mock draft season. The reasons why are straightforward. Before inserting Dowdle in the lineup, McCarthy's offense was fielding the worst rushing attack in the league.  Now that Dowdle is playing at a starting-caliber level, the Cowboys may be free to address a more premium position in the first round.

It's worth remembering that those in charge of the Cowboys do not view running back as a must-have position. After losing Tony Pollard to free agency, Dallas entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a similar need. Surprisingly, the Cowboys didn't select a ball-carrier for the entire draft. Instead, they opted to reunite with the veteran Elliott. That decision has backfired in a major way. Perhaps the right spot would have been at 87th overall when they took linebacker Marist Liufau. Between that choice and their next selection (Caelen Carson), running backs like Marshawn Lloyd, Bucky Irving, Braelon Allen, Jaylen Wright, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Ray Davis, and Isaac Guerendo came off the board. In hindsight (and maybe even at the time), that was a missed opportunity.

The Cowboys shouldn't risk repeating last year's error in judgment. They must draft a running back in 2025. Dowdle's emergence simply provides depth and versatility and prevents it from absolutely having to be through a first-round selection. This is a deep class of backs and the Cowboys should land someone like Kaleb Johnson, Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, or Dylan Sampson with a top-100 pick.

Dowdle is currently scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency. So is Elliott, who undoubtedly won't return. The Cowboys must re-sign Dowdle to an affordable and reasonable multi-year extension. He's due a somewhat significant raise in pay, but it should qualify as manageable compared to the deal top running backs received last offseason.

The Cowboys made an error by passing on various opportunities to draft talented running backs in 2024. They should rectify that mistake by taking advantage of April's deep class to select a starting-caliber ball-carrier in the middle rounds. Whoever Dallas drafts should form an effective tandem alongside Dowdle in 2025.