The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly poised to select Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter indicated several teams believe the Cowboys will select Brooks, saying, “Some think it would be a surprise if he made it past Dallas’ turn at No. 56.”
The Cowboys have a need at running back after Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Last season, Dallas RBs Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn combined for only 401 rushing yards. The Cowboys recently signed RB Royce Freeman to a one-year, $1.29M deal, but he has never surpassed 600 rushing yards in a season.
Brooks tore his ACL in November but is expected to be ready for training camp. He rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries in 11 games in 2023. He also caught 25 passes for 286 yards and one TD.
Pro Football Focus Draft analyst Trevor Sikkema rates Brooks as the best RB in this draft class.
“Brooks is an ideal blend of size [6-foot, 207 pounds], speed, strength and agility,” wrote Sikkema. “Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.”
The Cowboys ground attack needs a spark after finishing 15th in the league in rushing yards (113.5) last season. Perhaps Brooks will become the playmaker Dallas covets.
