Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl Goal: Is Drafting RB Bijan Robinson Worth It?
After releasing Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, will the Dallas Cowboys commit their future to another first-round running back in Texas' Bijan Robinson?
It is one of the biggest questions of the offseason for the Cowboys, as the release of Elliott has changed the running backs room's look, leaving Tony Pollard, Ronald Jones and Malik Davis as the projected major contributors. Pollard will play on the franchise tag next season, costing the Cowboys $10 million for one year.
After seeing the outcome of Zeke's career following his massive second contract, it leads to the question ... Will the Cowboys shell out market-setting money again at the position, especially in a year where they could draft a stellar rookie?
ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently laid out the case of why a running back should or not be taken in the first round and used the Cowboys as an example of what selecting Robinson would entail financially.
"Using the Spotrac projections and the rate at which teams pay base salaries in this range, we can estimate the 26th pick will make $11.3 million over the first three years of his deal," Barnwell wrote.
Which is better value than what Dallas will have to pay Pollard in a potential extension.
But...
This isn't a perfect world; historical concerns exist with selecting a running back on Day 1. Look no further than Zeke, who, after signing his market-setting extension, befell the same fate as those who came before him, like Todd Gurley.
And as Barnwell later stated, do teams need an "expensive running back" to win a Super Bowl? Recent history says no.
"The Chiefs were primarily using Pacheco and McKinnon. The Eagles had a rotation built around two guys on rookie deals -- Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell -- and low-cost third option Boston Scott," Barnwell wrote.
So, the Cowboys and the other teams are put into a bind. Do they take Robinson with the risk of knowing he may not last longer than his rookie contract? Of course, but they could land a future Hall of Famer who could be the exception to the rule.
It is the Cowboys' choice. Do they believe they have what they need to win a Super Bowl and are a running back away? Or will they pass on Robinson and try to find someone at the position in the later round?
Time will tell.
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