The Cowboys will use their top pick, depending on which NFL mock draft you follow, on an offensive lineman. There are some exceptions where Dallas might select a well-known wide receiver or edge rusher as the 24th pick, but the abundance of quality offensive linemen in this draft and the Cowboys’ requirement for assistance on the line leads to the possibility of picking Amarius Mims, Jordan Morgan, Tyler Guyton, or Troy Fautanu.
If the Cowboys choose this path in the first round, it is expected they will turn to addressing the significant gap at running back by picking a new player in Round 2. While there are no leading running backs likely to be selected in the first round, it is anticipated that two or three may be chosen in Round 2. This presents the Cowboys, positioned at No. 56, with the likely opportunity to select from Michigan’s Blake Corum, Texas’ Jonathan Brooks, and Florida State’s Trey Benson.
Benson, who recently visited Dallas for two days as one of the 30 players permitted to visit the team before the draft, has attracted some notice. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport's report on Wednesday, “Include #FSU RB Trey Benson in the group of highly regarded prospects visiting the #Cowboys today and tomorrow.”
Add #FSU RB Trey Benson to the list of big-time prospects visiting the #Cowboys today and tomorrow. https://t.co/5ViZyZqqRs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2024
Trey Benson a Player to ‘Prioritize’ in the NFL Draft
At Bleacher Report, analyst Alex Ballentine has labeled Benson as the primary skill-position player the Cowboys should focus on” in the upcoming draft. After losing starting running back Tony Pollard in free agency and not replacing him at all with another signing—Rico Dowdle currently the top back on the Cowboys depth chart—the Cowboys are certain to add one in the draft.
It is assumed they will use their second-round pick for this purpose. And Benson may be the finest option, having rushed for 1,896 yards in 26 matches over the last two seasons at Florida State.
“They don’t really have the all-terrain vehicle to be the lead back in their committee,” Ballentine wrote. “Even if they plan on playing multiple backs, there’s usually still a lead back who will get the majority of the early-down work.
“Trey Benson could fulfill that role. The 6’0″, 216-pound back has the speed to break off significant runs if given the opportunity. He showcased this speed with a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine, but he brings more than just speed. … Benson possesses a blend of toughness, ability to catch passes, and explosive speed that should provide something similar to 2022 Tony Pollard rather than the veteran's contributions in 2023.”
Cowboys Could Forgo RB, Even in Round 2
We have observed over the years that the Cowboys have embraced the notion that they do not need to invest heavily in running backs. They were interested in re-signing Pollard, but even his three-year, $21 million deal with the Titans was too much for them.
Due to this, there is no guarantee that they will select a running back in the second round. They may be the sole team choosing one at that point—so why not wait until Round 3 and instead attempt to acquire one of the exceptional wide receivers in the 2024 class? Or address the evident necessity for depth at linebacker?
Certainly, as per the Dallas Morning News’ pre-draft tracker, the Cowboys have brought in six linebackers for meetings, including the Best 3 at the position (Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M, Payton Wilson of North Carolina State and Junior Colson of Michigan).
They’ve also brought in six running backs, most of whom won’t be picked in the second round. So, even though it's assumed the Cowboys will choose in Round 2, with Benson as a top option, they might wait even longer to select their top running back.
