The Cowboys are still keeping tabs on draft-eligible running backs despite placing the franchise tag on Tony Pollard earlier this week, 105.3 The Fan's Bobby Belt reports.
Dallas also has a big decision to make on Ezekiel Elliott's future before the draft next month, as the running back is set to earn $10.9 million in 2023. If Elliott is back in Dallas next season, he certainly will be playing under a restructured contract at a much cheaper salary. Such a scenario would also significantly decrease the team's chances of drafting a running back with a high draft pick.
Among the running backs in the draft Belt says to keep an eye on include Texas Longhorns' running back Roschon Johnson, who backed up the top running back prospect in this year's class, Bijan Robinson, and TCU's Kendre Miller.
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"We told you guys coming out of the combine that this is gonna be a draft where they address running back again. They like Kendre Miller, the running back out of TCU. He did not test this week at the combine. He'll test at his pro day, I believe at the end of this month. But the Cowboys are fans of his. (He's) 5'11, 215 (pounds). Last year, he rushed for almost 1,400 yards, six yards per carry, 17 touchdowns," Belt said Thursday on Shan and RJ. "He's got size, can really work as a complete back for the Cowboys. That's somebody that they definitely have interest in. In fact, I was told, while they didn't meet at the combine with him, they've got a private workout scheduled with him over the next several weeks.
"The guy they're interested in at Texas is Bijan's backup, Roschon Johnson. And Roschon Johnson is their prototype (back). Big, tough, physical runner, complete back. He came in at six-foot, 220 (pounds) at the combine. Averaged five-and-a-half yards per carry at Texas while splitting time with Bijan. That's a guy I think they really, really like. If you're looking who could the Cowboys potentially take in the third round as a value person to pair with Tony Pollard - Kendre Miller from TCU and Roschon Johnson from Texas, those are tow names to be aware of."
Belt also noted that Robinson ending up in Dallas can't be ruled out after the running back told the media at the NFL Combine last week that he hadn't met with the Cowboys yet. Belt said that could be a smokescreen so the Cowboys can shield their level of interest in him and noted that they picked left tackle Tyler Smith in the first round last year after they didn't have much dialogue with him in the pre-draft process.
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