The Dallas Cowboys were in need of adding depth to their running back room after losing Tony Pollard in free agency prior to the 2024 NFL Draft. With a group of unheralded running backs in Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, and Snoop Connor, the Cowboys looked to the draft to bring in immediate impact players. Despite being patient in the first few rounds of the draft, the Cowboys saw multiple running backs being selected before their turn to pick at 174th overall in the fifth round, due to not having a fourth-round pick from a previous trade. Several potential targets for the Cowboys were chosen in the fourth round, leaving them to reassess their strategy for addressing the running back position.
As the draft progressed, former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott emerged as a possible option for the team. Owner Jerry Jones expressed interest in bringing Elliott back to the team as a free agent signee post-draft. Despite a decline in production and being released by the team due to salary concerns, Jones believes that Elliott has the ability to be a starting running back. Elliott’s performance with the New England Patriots in the previous season, where he led the team in rushing yards and receptions, has led to a shift in perspective regarding his potential impact on the Cowboys.
While the Cowboys continued to see more running backs being selected in the later rounds of the draft, they focused on addressing other areas of need with their picks. In the fifth round, the Cowboys chose Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson with the 39th selection, aiming to improve their defense under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. Carson is a physical cornerback who can play outside or in the slot, providing valuable depth behind the team’s starters. The Cowboys also selected defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in the second round and linebacker Marist Liufau in the third round, emphasizing a desire to become bigger and more physical on the defensive side of the ball.
In the later rounds of the draft, the Cowboys added offensive firepower with Southeast Missouri State receiver Ryan Flournoy in the sixth round and Louisiana offensive lineman Nathan Thomas in the seventh round. Flournoy, a big and fast receiver, is expected to contribute on special teams early on, while Thomas provides additional support on the offensive line. The Cowboys concluded their draft selections by picking Auburn defensive tackle Justin Rogers, rounding out a draft class that addressed various areas of need for the team. Overall, the Cowboys took a strategic approach to the draft, focusing on both offense and defense while leaving the possibility open for a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott to bolster their running back room.
