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Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Yeldon an Option in Round 2?

By Stephen Forsha

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What if there was a way the Dallas Cowboys could draft a running back who was just as fast a Melvin Gordon in the 40-yard dash, lifted more reps than Gordon at the combine and jumped higher than the Wisconsin superstar as well?

Oh, by the way, the Cowboys wouldn’t have to trade draft picks to move up and select him in the first round, or even most likely select this running back in the first round at all.

Sound like a risk worth taking, right?

Let me introduce you to Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon.

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Yeldon enters this draft with a 4.52 40-yard dash he ran at his pro day, along with adding a 2.56 20-yard dash time at the same event, both improvements on his times at the NFL Combine in February.

The numbers he did keep from the combine were also impressive for the 6-1, 226-pound junior running back. He bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times and had a vertical jump of 36 inches.

Since every running back in this draft is being compared to Wisconsin’s Gordon, a player on many team radars in this draft, it is a good time to look at his numbers as well.

Gordon (6-1, 215) at the combine had a 4.52 40-yard dash, a 2.66 20-yard dash, he bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times and his vertical jump was 35 inches.

I’m not saying Yeldon is the best running back in this draft, but I am saying the Cowboys should wait and see when it comes to Gordon and trading their draft picks, because there will be a running back available in Round 2 or possibly the third round who can fill their need at the position.

Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com recently released his two-round mock draft and with the 60th overall selection he had the Cowboys selecting Yeldon:

"“With the Cowboys’ targets at defensive end (Hunter, Harold, etc.) off the board, Dallas pulls the trigger on the top running back on their board.”"

Brugler has the Cowboys taking a cornerback in round one of his mock, so being on the same way of thinking as him, the choice of a running back in the second round makes a lot of sense.

Yeldon nearly had a 1,000-yard season with the Crimson Tide in ’14 (979 yards) on 194 carries. He scored 11 touchdowns when carrying the football in ’14, and for his career he totaled 3,322 yards on 576 carries.

Of his four 100-plus yard rushing performances in 2014, one which stands out came against Auburn on Nov. 29, where he had 127 yards rushing (6.7 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.

Actually the ’14 season were the lowest rushing totals he had in his three years with the Crimson Tide. In ’12 as a freshman Yeldon rushed for 1,108 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns, and as a sophomore he carried the ball 207 times for 1,235 yards and 14 touchdowns.

There is no doubt Yeldon can play running back in the NFL. He has the size, speed and strength to be a productive member of the backfield, and the Cowboys would be making a huge mistake if they passed on him in the second round if they still had a need at the position.

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) looks for running room as Missouri Tigers defensive back John Gibson (1) closes in during the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com profile says the following about Yeldon’s strengths and weaknesses:

"“Can make tacklers miss and change tackle angles in confined quarters. Above average out of backfield and after the catch … Must improve ball security after fumbling 10 times over 576 career carries.”"

That is true, because in ’14 he had 15 receptions for 180 yards (12 yards per reception) and one touchdown. Coaches in the NFL will work on his fumbling issues.

Whatever the Cowboys decide to do, they can’t go wrong with Yeldon in the second round, or by drafting one of few different running backs in the round either.

With the way running backs are valued in the NFL today, and the current offensive line the Cowboys have on their roster, the team don’t need to select the “best” running back in the 2015 NFL Draft to be successful in ’15.

The Cowboys should draft defense in round one, then if there is a running back waiting for them in the second-round, by all means sure up the position as well. From the looks of things, this scenario is one that should (or will) happen for the Cowboys come April 30 and May 1.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: 1 Cornerback Prospect For Each Round

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