ESPN analyst Ryan Clark argues in favor of Cowboys moving up in 2023 draft for Bijan Robinson

Although the Dallas Cowboys franchise tagged Tony Pollard, the team could still benefit from drafting a top running back high in the 2023 NFL Draft. With Ezekiel Elliott now on the free agency market, it might be time for them to once again draft a running back in the first round.

Although he was initially in their range at No. 26 overall, the latest projections have Texas ball-toter Bijan Robinson coming off the board in the middle of the first round. The Cowboys would have to trade up to grab Robinson, if that’s the case.

On Tuesday’s Get Up, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark argued in favor of Jerry Jones’ squad moving up the draft for Robinson specifically.

“The Dallas Cowboys got it easy, let’s move up and grab Bijan Robinson,” Clark said. “Ezekiel Elliott is now gone. Tony Pollard has signed the franchise tag. Go get the most dynamic player in the entire draft. When you get a running back in the first round, their production over the first five years is automatically 32% higher than anyone drafted in the second round or later.

“The problem is giving them their second contract… It immediately gives Dak Prescott the presence he needs in the backfield to take that next step to get back where he was two years ago.”

Robinson carried a huge workload for the Longhorns in 2022. He racked up 1,580 rushing yards on 258 attempts. He also added 314 yards on 19 receptions.

Cowboys not opposed to drafting high on RB

Asked about the team’s philosophy on first-round drafting and the durability of running backs, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones explained that they tend to aim for players with longevity in the top half of the first round.

However, he did not say the Cowboys are opposed to going for a running back if he’s high on the board and still available.

“If you’re taking a player in the top half, you’re hoping you’ve got a player who is going to be here for 10 years,” Jones told reporters. “And it’s tough for running backs to last 10 years. There’s not many Emmitt Smiths or guys that play that long. Normally, we’ve said we have 18 to 20 first-rounders on your board. Usually, when you’re picking 26, you’re pretty lucky if there’s still a first-rounder left on your board.”

“I think certainly if the right guy were there and you loved him and you needed him, then you’d take him,” Jones added.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

Following two trades that cost them two fifth-round compensatory picks (No. 161, No. 169), these are the seven draft picks left on the Cowboys board for April.

Round 1, No. 26Round 2, No. 58Round 3, No. 90Round 4, No. 128Round 5, No. 176*Round 6, No. 212*Round 7, No. 243

*denotes compensatory pick

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