Dallas Cowboys: Khiry Robinson an option?

Since the Miami Dolphins scooped up Jay Ajayi before he could fall to the Dallas Cowboys, the depth chart of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, and Lance Dunbar is currently what the Cowboys will have at the running back position in 2015. It’s hard to see them trotting into the season with just those three backs, because while Randle showed promise last season by averaging over six yards per carry, it’s hard to be a fan of what the Cowboys have at the position.

McFadden is cheap and has some bounce-back potential, but this is a guy who has averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry in each of the past three seasons and is on the last legs of his career. Dunbar has some dual-threat ability, but it’s hard to see him being a consistent enough force on the ground to earn more than just change-of-pace honors in the Cowboys offense.

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With Tony Romo at quarterback and an elite offensive line that could get even more stacked if La’El Collins chooses them (I doubt it, but we’ll see), it is possible for the Cowboys to have a credible rushing attack in 2015 with that trio. However, it would obviously be a massive downgrade from star back DeMarco Murray, who is easily a top five RB in this league after being the NFL’s best back in 2014.

There aren’t many options available for the Cowboys, but one of them, Chris Johnson, recently spoke up about his interest in the organization. Johnson sees himself as a good “fit” for the Cowboys, but I only see it happening if he’s willing to be a training camp body. While CJ0K was somewhat productive last season with 4.3 yards per carry and is a safer bet than the other backs on the roster, he doesn’t have that much upside. Beggars can’t be choosers, I get that, but he’s not ideal.

Yesterday, CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora speculated that New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson, who is currently third on the depth chart behind Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller, could be traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Per La Canfora, Sean Payton‘s “very strong ties” to the Cowboys, combined with the fact that Robinson might only be a “spare part” in the Saints eyes could make this a possible deal.

It’s definitely an interesting idea to think about, but it all comes down to whether or not the Cowboys think it’s worth it to trade a pick after failing to spend an actual pick on a running back. During the draft, the New York Jets traded a seventh-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for Zac Stacy, and that was seen as a good deal by the Rams. I think Robinson is worth more because of his ability to make an impact in the passing game (plus he was flat-out better last season), but it just wouldn’t be responsible to spend more than a seventh-round pick on him.

That said, out of all of the options thrown around (and there honestly haven’t been many), Robinson is easily the best of them. I mean, he had a nice season for himself last year with 362 yards on 76 carries for 4.8 yards per carry. It’s hard to see how much of workload he can take in this league, but the Saints did kick around the idea of getting him more touches before deciding to sign the high-upside Spiller.

Robinson scored ten touchdowns last season and has plenty of upside, but it would all come down to the Saints asking price. They seem to be high on him and probably aren’t 100% sold on Spiller’s ability to stay healthy, so they might not be willing to part ways with him for even a seventh-round pick. Khiry Robinson isn’t proven by any means, but he is talented, and the Saints likely know that Robinson would be the Dallas Cowboys best option available at RB.

Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

It would be wise for the Cowboys to add another rusher to the mix, preferably someone who has been more productive in the NFL that their current RBs. Robinson fits the bill, and I personally think he’s worth trading for.

He’s a talented back who would immediately be the Cowboys No. 1 guy, though I fully understand the concerns with him and the fact that the Saints might not be willing to part ways with him at all (that’s what this whole trade rumor hinges on).

The Cowboys should look into Robinson as a possible option, and I’ve seen TE Gavin Escobar kicked around as a possible player who could be traded to New Orleans to make it happen.

I’m not sure how much faith the Cowboys have in their current backs, particularly Randle, because that will dictate how high the Cowboys are willing to go. Given the value of the TE position, I find it hard to believe that the Cowboys would be willing to deal Escobar straight-up for Robinson.

Ultimately, I think both sides will be too far apart to get a deal done, because the Cowboys might not be willing to spend more than a late-round flier (a sixth or seventh) on Robinson.

He’d be an excellent option for sure, but there’s no guarantee that the Cowboys actually like him more than their in-house options either. It’s an interesting idea to kick around, but concessions would have to be made in order to turn it into a reality.

But the thing is, I’d probably rather trade for Robinson than sign CJ0K, unless if the goal is simply to get a camp body.

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