Longhorns Bijan Robinson Dream NFL Draft Trade Scenario For Dallas Cowboys?
The connections between the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns Bijan Robinson just won't go away.
And over the last few weeks, conversations amongst NFL Draft pundits, experts and Twitter fans alike have discussed about the possibility of America's Team picking the superstar from the 40 Acres have done nothing but increase.
Enter Bleacher Report, which has taken it one step further, calling a trade up in the draft for Robinson the Cowboys 'dream' offseason trade scenario.
As it pertains to running backs, the Cowboy's dream scenario would be landing Texas star Bijan Robinson in the 2023 draft. He's the top-ranked running back on the B/R board and one of the best prospects at his position we've seen in years.
"He should step in right away and be able to carry the workload for a rushing offense, as well as contribute in the passing game," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Robinson has the potential to be a multi-time Pro Bowler and one of the better backs in the NFL."
Robinson isn't likely to fall all the way to Dallas at 27th overall. If he starts to slide toward the middle of Round 1, though, the Cowboys might be able to go up and get him for a few Day 2 selections. The Detroit Lions traded the Nos. 32, 34 and 66 picks last year for the Nos. 12 and 46 picks.
If the Cowboys pull it off, they could seamlessly move away from the Pollard-Elliott era while getting a new every-down ball-carrier on a team-friendly rookie contract.
While joining the already dynamic Cowboys offense would certainly be a dream for Robinson, who could step in and be a major centerpiece right away, it is a little less clear for the Cowboys.
Yes, Bijan is a top-5 talent in the draft.
And yes, the Cowboys would without a doubt love to have him on the roster - as would any NFL team.
Where this idea becomes a bit murkier, is how determining how much the Cowboys actually value the running back position.
If the Cowboys do indeed move on from Pollard and Elliott, as Bleacher Report suggests, Robinson would be the ideal replacement.
However, it would likely all depend on exactly how far the Cowboys are willing to go up to get him.
Sending multiple Day 2 picks out might not be a price they are willing to pay for a position whose value seems to be dropping across the league.
And in the middle of the first round, where Bleacher Report believes this trade would take place, would likely cost just that.
If Robinson manages to fall lower than that, however, things could get interesting.
Dallas has a history of taking the best player available on their board, regardless of position in recent years.
In 2022, Dallas picked offensive tackle Tyler Smith, despite having All-Pro Tyron Smith in place as the starter.
In 2021, it was linebacker Micah Parsons, who was selected despite having a pair of former Pro Bowlers on the roster at the position.
In 2020, despite having Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson, and Michael Gallup on the roster, and desperately needing help elsewhere, the Cowboys picked former Oklahoma Sooners star, CeeDee Lamb.
Suffice it to say, all three of those selections have worked out fantastically for Dallas.
So yes, Robinson would certainly fit that same mold, particularly of Lamb and Parsons.
However, as was the case with those three picks, we believe that, if Robinson ends up with a star on his helmet, it is more likely that it is because he fell to the Cowboys at 27, rather than Jerry and Stephen Jones using draft capital to trade up and secure him.
Then again, it is the Dallas Cowboys, so anything is certainly possible.
You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan
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