One of the more perplexing aspects of the Dallas Cowboys’ quiet summer as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches and free agency enters its second wave has been how they have handled their backfield.
The Cowboys missed out on elite players like Josh Jacobs and Aaron Jones and never pursued former running back Derrick Henry, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens, after letting Tony Pollard sign with the Tennessee Titans via free agency.
Pro Football Focus thinks the Cowboys should target Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen on the third day of draft weekend as the draft draws closer.
Gordon McGuinness writes for PFF, “Allen’s size and power made him tough to bring down in college.” Over the previous three seasons, he forced 145 missed tackles on 596 runs, averaging 3.66 yards after contact per carry. Despite taking on a demanding schedule in college, he still has an advantage in that he is only 20 years old.
Allen, a between-the-tackles bruiser, might be a valuable addition to the Cowboys’ backfield, which presently only has Snoop Conner, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Rocky Dowdle.
The Cowboys offense would benefit from a chain-mover out of the backfield, particularly one as talented as Allen, who has shown he can be successful in circumstances involving short yardage and the goal line.
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Allen gained 2,182 yards after contact during his time at Madison, which would be useful for any running back sent to the Cowboys in 2024, as they will be operating behind an offensive line that will be breaking in at least two new starters.
Allen, according to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein, “has rare size on an imposing frame.” Furthermore, his output is not to be laughed at. Assessors will have to depend more on his 2022 tape, in which he executed a pro-style running attack with improved intuition and decisiveness.
“He has the frame to be a monster, but he has to adopt a more physically demanding approach because he lacks the hips and footwork to deceive opponents with grace.”
The focal point of the Badgers’ running game, 6-foot-2 and 328 pounds Allen carried for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in 35 games.
The Cowboys lost more players in free agency than they acquired, so there is greater expectation on this year’s draft class to perform well right away in addition to filling important holes.
Will McClay, the vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys, tells ESPN that he has a specific directive for the scouts he dispatches to search the country for Dallas’ upcoming rookie class.
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