Cowboys 30 Visits: Could Dallas 'Steal' Starting RB in NFL Draft's Round 7?

The Dallas Cowboys have hosted Alabama running back Jase McClellan on a top 30 visit.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) runs the ball / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A Tony Pollard replacement at the upcoming NFL Draft? The Dallas Cowboys are on the Jase.

The Cowboys have hosted a handful of backs at The Star, including former Alabama Crimson Tide rusher Jase McClellan on a Top 30 visit. As the name implies, top 30 visits offer a more in-depth experience for potential prospects, introducing them to their supposed new surroundings and include meetings with team personnel and staffers.

Little more needs to be said about Dallas' search for a running back after Tony Pollard's move to Nashville, and the draft seems to be the best ... if not only ... remaining avenue to find him. The discussion has already long been engaged in the Ezekiel Elliott reunion phase but McClellan could instead pose as a potential-packed project.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) runs against / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

An alum of Aledo (TX) High School, McClellan is fresh off an eventful four years in Tuscaloosa. His latter two seasons capped off an inspiring return from a torn ACL sustained in 2021, as he put up 1,458 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns.

"McClellan lacks explosiveness but gets it done with above-average vision and know-how," Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote of McClellan. "He's quick to process his lane choice and smooth getting from cut to cut. He has good-not-great burst and appears to be better suited for gap and inside-zone runs. He runs with excellent pad level and loose hips, creating impressive contact balance to extend runs through contact."

"The numbers don't shine in the passing game, but he's very capable of handling all aspects of third-down football. He's an instinctive runner with three-down talent who could end up outplaying his draft slotting on the right team."

Using a top 30 visit on the 5-10, 220-pound McClellan seems a bit curious considering that the Cowboys' lack of high-profile moves in the rushing spot. Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are the apparent top options in the backfield, so working with another project seems iffy at best.

But apparently desperate times call for relatively desperate measures and the Cowboys are leaving no stone unturned in an attempt to salvage this ominous offseason.

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held on April 25-27 in Detroit.