The 2019 NFL Combine is just about complete, as the final group goes through their workouts Monday morning to cap off the weekend.
Obviously the Cowboys were paying close attention to each group participating, but some groups stand out in particular due to team need. Running back is one of those areas.
Dallas is looking for someone to compliment Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield, and add a pass catching dimension to the offense. Here are some of my notes from the running backs at the 2019 NFL Combine.
Notes
- Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) cemented himself as the running back draft crush of most of Cowboys Nation with his combine performance. The 5’10” 198 pound back ran a 4.4 40 yard dash and had a broad jump of 130 inches. Unfortunately he didn’t finish out the agility drills due to injury, but you can tell how shifty and athletic he is on tape as well. Hill looks to be the perfect compliment to Ezekiel Elliott that the Cowboys can find in the late round.
- Miles Sanders (Penn State) is another candidate to be that 3rd down, pass catching-type back for the Cowboys going forward. Sanders ran a 4.49 40 yard dash and a 6.89 three cone at the combine, turning heads around the league. Sanders is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield, and can fill the Lance Dunbar-role Dallas has been looking for over the last few drafts.
- Someone is going to steal a workhorse back in Benny Snell (Kentucky) this year. He didn’t test well, that much is clear. His 40 yard dash clocked in at 4.66 seconds, and his three cone was over 7 seconds. Snell is a throwback running back, however, who can pound defenses between the tackles for four quarters. He isn’t the compliment to Elliott which Cowboys fans are looking for, but he’s a gamer, and will be a nice pick up on day three of this year’s draft.
- Devin Singletary (FAU) is another back who plays much better than he tested at the combine. Singletary only timed in with a 4.66 40 yard dash and 7.32 three cone, but he’s a second round player on film. Still, his testing indicates he won’t be a real candidate to play that 3rd down role for the Cowboys.
- Dallas would get a ton of use out of Darrell Henderson (Memphis), but after this weekend I doubt they get a shot at him. He ran really well with a 4.49 40 yard dash and has some impressive tape as well. Henderson is looking more and more like a top 75 pick, and might have played/tested his way out of the Cowboys’ range.
