Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft: 30 Visits Include RBs Brooks, Braelon and Benson

The Dallas Cowboys have been noticeably inactive in free agency this offseason and might look to the draft to find their starting running back. ... as 30 Visits begin before the NFL Draft

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys real version iof going "all-in" this offseason? It's not been in free agency. It is about to be in terms of 30 Visits from the best draft-eligible guys in college football.

With three major position groups needing attention, the upcoming NFL Draft might be where Dallas finds roster replacements. The Cowboys lost two offensive linemen and a running back to free agency, and their No. 1 linebacker to early retirement.

Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks jumps over BYU Cougars safety Crew Wakley in the third
Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks jumps over BYU Cougars safety Crew Wakley in the third / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA

Little wonder that a focus on the 30 Visits right now here in Frisco at The Star is on running back, with a trio of them slated to visit. One of them is Wisconsin's Braelon Allen. Another is Florida State's Trey Benson. And a third?

While the draft is one of the deepest in recent memory for offensive linemen, Dallas might find a Day 2 gem in Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks, a 30 Visitor. And ESPN's Matt Miller thinks Brooks would be a good fit for the Cowboys.

"Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas. The Cowboys’ lack of a starting-caliber running back on the roster means whomever they draft has to be ready to carry the load. Brooks can do that, despite coming off a November ACL injury. Brooks has power and vision, and he is the best pass-protecting back in the class. He posted 1,139 yards last season."

Brooks' NFL comparison is to another Longhorn, Jamaal Charles per NFL.com.

"The comparison of Brooks to former Longhorn Jamaal Charles might feel lazy to some, but he has similar size and traits as a runner. Brooks' limited collegiate carries could be seen as a balancing agent against the fact he's coming off an ACL tear. He's agile and smooth working from cut to cut and is likely to improve his feel for reading blocks and setting up defenders as he gains experience."

The Cowboys will need to address many position groups this offseason, and from their lack of activity in free agency thus far, it appears as though they'll use the draft - and maybe the 30 Visits - to do so.


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