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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Sleepers to target in 2018 NFL Draft

By Stephen Forsha

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Darren Carrington II #9 of the Utah Utes runs past cornerback Jermaine Kelly #3 of the San Jose State Spartans for a touchdown during the second half of an college football game September 16, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah defeated San Jose 54-16. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Darren Carrington II #9 of the Utah Utes runs past cornerback Jermaine Kelly #3 of the San Jose State Spartans for a touchdown during the second half of an college football game September 16, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah defeated San Jose 54-16. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 15: Running back Chase Edmonds of the Fordham Rams gives his acceptance speech after winning the Jerry Rice Award during the Sports Network’s 28th Annual FCS Awards Presentation at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel on December 15, 2014, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 15: Running back Chase Edmonds of the Fordham Rams gives his acceptance speech after winning the Jerry Rice Award during the Sports Network’s 28th Annual FCS Awards Presentation at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel on December 15, 2014, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

5. Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham

Chase Edmonds played in just seven games last season as he battled leg injuries, but it is his entire body of work at Fordham that makes a person want to do a double take on his potential with his play from his four seasons at the collegiate level. Edmonds also was described as having a “strong showing” at the NFL Combine this month by CBS Sports.

Playing in the FCS shouldn’t matter for Edmonds. In his four-year career at Fordham, he rushed for 5,862 yards on 938 rushes for a 6.2 yards per rush average. Edmonds scored 67 total touchdowns and played in 44 games, with this past season playing in just seven games with the aforementioned injury issues.

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Edmonds’ standout seasons were his first three with yardage totals of 1,838 his freshman year, 1,648 his sophomore season and 1,799 his junior year. Also, in each of his first three seasons, Edmonds had no less than 19 touchdowns in a season with his best being his freshman year with 23, followed by totals of 20 and 19. His senior years, Edmonds had five touchdowns in seven games played.

A 5-9, 210-pound running back, Edmonds can catch the football as well, finishing with a four-year total of 905 yards on 86 receptions with seven touchdowns, as he averaged 10.5 yards per reception for his collegiate career.

Now, how does that all wrap up in his prospects for the NFL? For starters, he’ll be drafted, and most likely on Day 3. In an CBSSports.com article, it states the following about Edmonds and his draft stock following his combine earlier this month:

"“His strong combine performance suggests his style of play can translate to the next level. In fact, he likely boosted his draft stock and appears to be in the discussion to hear his name called early Day 3.”"

The Cowboys need a running back to play behind Ezekiel Elliott and one that won’t cost a lot toward the salary cap as there are more spots on the roster that need tending to. With a running back like Edmonds, the Cowboys would gain a player who could help make a difference from the start, and a player who has also returned kicks in his collegiate career, too.

Dallas won’t need to have a superstar playing behind Elliott if he stays on the field this season, but if it is a sleeper the Cowboys would be looking for at running back on the third day of the draft, Edmonds should be available in the fifth round, but they might have to trade up to make it happen.

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