Tyler Goodson is the newest running back to the Dallas Cowboys roster, and when I first looked at the move, I figured this was probably the Cowboys replacing Malik Davis. Basically just another guy in the room.
I started looking into this guy, because I had never heard of him and there is a little something worth looking at in his game.
I went all the way back to his college numbers because his NFL stats are miniscule, and looked at his latest preseason with the Atlanta Falcons. The first thing that jumped out to me was his speed.
He ran a 4.42 coming out of the University of Iowa, and that speed is still there when he gets enough room to shift into the next gear. But we’ve had a speed guy before and it didn’t work out.
What I wanted to know about Tyler Goodson was if there was anything else besides speed or if this is just another fast guy bouncing around the league.
What I Found in Tyler Goodson’s College Numbers
Goodson was productive at Iowa, and not just one season of production either. He finished out his time at the University of Iowa with 2,551 rushing yards on 533 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, and caught 70 passes for 565 yards.
I like the receiving numbers just as much as the rushing numbers.
This tells us Iowa did not just line him up and hand him the ball in hopes he would find the hole. They got him outside in space and found ways to let him use the speed without having to run through three guys first.
I think he will fit into the scheme much like Emeri Demercado. These two could be interchangeable behind Javonte Williams. Splitting the leftover snaps between Demercado and Goodson could work.
On the other hand, could these two be too much of the same type of guy?
The NFL Numbers Look Good Until You Start Digging
Tyler Goodson has 54 NFL carries for 264 yards, which comes out to 4.9 yards per carry. This looks great if you stop right there and throw the number on a graphic. I didn’t trust that number.
Fifty-four carries spread across multiple seasons is not enough for me to say Dallas just found a hidden five-yard-per-carry running back. He could be efficient, but the sample is too small. So I looked at what he did this preseason in Atlanta.
Goodson carried the ball 18 times for 92 and a touchdown, good for 5.1 yards per carry. Again, this looks good on the surface. Then you find the 49-yard touchdown against Indianapolis.
Take that run off, and we are at about 2.5 yards per carry. Now the numbers look a little different.
The receiving production was the same thing. Goodson caught four passes for 40 yards, but one of those catches went for 31 yards on a wheel route against Miami. Add it all and two plays accounted for 80 of his 132 preseason yards from scrimmage.
That is 60.6% of his production.
I can already hear the argument, I gave it to you. Take away the big plays and the rest is pretty average. I would probably say the same thing if I were trying to knock the signing, but the more I looked at it, the more I wondered if we were looking at it from the wrong angle.
Those Two Plays Might Be Why Dallas Wanted Him
The 49-yard touchdown against Indianapolis was not a run where everything fell and he made six guys miss. That’s not his game. I noticed his game is built on seeing the opening and accelerating. The acceleration is a thing with this guy.
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The wheel route against Miami is the same thing. Get Tyler Goodson in space before someone gets a clean shot and he can be dangerous. If Brian Schottenheimer can get him matched up with a linebacker, Goodson wins that all day.
• Threat out of the backfield
• Runs the ball effectively
• Can contribute in the return game
He brings versatility to the offense and special teams. At this point, I think Goodson has earned that RB3 spot and makes
I don’t think the Cowboys found some secret weapon. What I do think is there is a role for him if they use him the right way. That is the key with Tyler Goodson.
Special Teams Could Be His Lane
The other part of this move that I think will get overlooked is special teams.
Tyler Goodson returned 11 kickoffs for 297 yards during his time with Indianapolis, an average of 27 yards per return, and he’s played on coverage units.
Being useful as a third-string running back is a must. You can’t just stand around all game waiting to get your five carries and call it a day. You have to help somewhere.
Tyler Goodson will do that on this team.
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