The Dallas Cowboys have officially signed 15 undrafted free agents after the completion of the 2020 NFL Draft. Of these 15, maybe two or three have a real good shot at making it through final roster cuts. That doesn’t seem like a lot, however, there are several others who could create some interesting position battles worth keeping an eye on. One such position battle could be at running back.
Yes, you read that right. I know Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are fully entrenched as the Dallas Cowboys RB1 and RB2, but behind them nothing is set in stone as of yet. I think there are three undrafted free agent running backs who have a pretty good chance at shaking things up on the depth chart this offseason.
Enter Rico Dowdle out of South Carolina, Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua out of TCU.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let me make one thing perfectly clear… I don’t believe any one of these three undrafted free agent running backs will push Tony Pollard to become Ezekiel Elliott’s primary backup. I do however think all three are talented enough to make the RB position one to watch throughout training camp (if there is one).
The past several years the Dallas Cowboys have only carried two traditional running backs and a fullback on the active roster. With the roster limit increasing from 53 to 55, that could change in 2020. That gives players like Rico Dowdle, Darius Anderson, and Sewo Olonilua a better shot at earning a roster spot than they would’ve had in the past.
Of the three, I think Rico Dowdle has the best chance of making the roster right now. If he can overcome his ball security issues and stay healthy, he’s got the talent to become an every down running back in the NFL. It would be unwise to count the other two out though because they aren’t without talent either.
Darius Anderson is more of a change of pace back at the next level in my opinion. But, if you watched any of his TCU film you already know he’s a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. If he can prove he’s capable of doing the same thing in practice a roster spot with the Cowboys will likely follow.
Darius Anderson’s fellow running mate at TCU, Sewo Olonilua, might just be the most intriguing out of all three of these undrafted free agents. He was a running back with the Horned Frogs, but the Dallas Cowboys have him listed as a fullback on the roster right now. At 6’3″, 232 he could be someone capable of challenging Jamize Olwale at fullback or be a goal line/short yardage specialist.
All of this talk is nothing more than speculation of course right now though. All three of these players went undrafted for a reason, but they all three also have the talent to play in the NFL. With established players already ahead of them on the depth chart, they’re really going to have to stand out if they want to earn a roster spot. Can they do it?
