Dallas Cowboys: What can Lache Seastrunk add?

By Stephen Forsha | Jun 8, 2015

Did the Dallas Cowboys make their running game better on Monday by signing free agent running back Lache Seastrunk to a contract?

I believe yes, because a player with raw talent like Seastrunk needs time to be groomed in the NFL, but also the opportunity to show what he can bring to a team. With the Cowboys’ current situation at the running back spot, this is as good of a time as any to see what the former Baylor standout can bring to the club.

David Helman of DallasCowboys.com wrote about the free agent signing Monday, saying he’ll be a familiar name to Cowboys fans:

"“Seastrunk should be a familiar name to many Cowboys fans, as he was a standout running back for Baylor in 2012 and 2013. He racked up 2,189 total yards and 18 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Bears.”"

The running back was drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft as the 186th selection by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round. After not playing for them, Seastrunk was also a part of the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans.

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I find it tough to believe a player who was a 1,000-plus rusher at a Big 12 program like Baylor is having trouble sticking with an NFL team thus far in his career like Seastrunk has.

At Baylor, the running back totaled 2,189 yards in his two seasons with the Bears, averaging 91.21 yards per game. He was also an All-Big 12 honoree and is eighth-place all-time at Baylor in rushing yards.

His final collegiate season was in 2013, where in 11 games Seastrunk rushed for 1,177 yards (7.4 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. In the ’12 season at Baylor, he totaled 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns.

Seastrunk’s final career yards per carry average in two collegiate seasons was 7.6, leading to him being drafted by the Redskins.

In September 2014, Brian McNally of CBS DC wrote about why the Redskins cut Seastrunk before he even suited up for them in the regular season. The article stated:

"“Seastrunk’s overall body of work during the preseason wasn’t good enough. Running backs have to block, too. And they need to churn yardage on plays from scrimmage. Not every play can be a home run.”"

The end of that sentence … a home run … that’s what the running game of the Cowboys is missing … a big-play threat. Maybe Seastrunk can fit that type of ability into the rotation of Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle in 2015, because with the offensive line of the Cowboys, Seastrunk will have a chance do so if he can take advantage of any opportunity the Cowboys give him.

He’ll most likely also have to compete with Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams for a running back roster spot, but this is exactly what the Cowboys need headed into training camp later this summer … hungry running backs who have been discarded by other teams, wanting to prove themselves to the rest of the NFL.

Aug 18, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Lache Seastrunk (35) rushes the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

I put Seastrunk in that category, because he’s shown flashes of big-play talent with an 80-yard touchdown run in the preseason last year against Tampa Bay while with the Redskins.

Let’s also remember the Redskins didn’t even add Seastrunk to their practice squad last season, so either he really does need a lot of work on his blocking skills (something that is very teachable), or they really dropped the ball on Seastrunk. For the sake of the Cowboys and their fans, I’m guessing they are hoping for the latter, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility considering the past roster choices made by the team representing Washington D.C.

Training camp and preseason games for the Cowboys at the running back position are going to be possibly the best roster battles we’ll see. The Cowboys know they need to be creative this season when it comes to their running game after DeMarco Murray left to play for Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles, adding Seastrunk could be that creative edge they need to repeat as champions of the NFC East.

What better way for the Cowboys to get a step up on one of their division rivals than taking a player they cut and turning him into a productive player for them this upcoming season?

Next: How will Devin Street contribute in 2015?

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