Bijan Robinson vs. Steve Avila: Which Cowboys NFL Draft Pick Helps - Faster?

The Dallas Cowboys have been linked with Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson ... but another "local guy'' might be in play as well.

PHOENIX - The Dallas Cowboys will enter the NFL Draft in a strong position to take the best player available thanks to a fruitful free agency period. With pick No. 26, Dallas has all options on the table regarding a player it can draft.

In our conversations here in Phoenix at the NFL owners meetings, Jerry and Stephen Jones have been very open about "all options'' leaning toward offense. And in addition to thinking about help at tight end, there is buzz about the idea of using a premium pick on a running back or an offensive lineman.

A running back like "local guy'' Bijan Robinson of Texas.

An offensive lineman like "local guy'' Steve Avila of TCU.

There have been rumblings that the Cowboys could take an offensive lineman in the first round to fortify Dak Prescott's protection, and again, others think a tight end could be taken at pick 26. And heck, COO Stephen Jones has openly suggested a "perfect world'' in which Dallas adds a "power back to complement Tony (Pollard).''

The Bijan movement is certain a "thing.'' NFL analyst Joe Klatt has joined that chorus.

“How do you return Dak to form without an offensive line that can just be leaned on in the running game? Well, give him more offensive threats,” Klatt said on The Joe Klatt Show. "Who is a bigger offensive threat in the state of Texas than Bijan Robinson? Bijan to the Cowboys. I love this selection. You need cheap offensive weapons, and this guy gives you all sorts of creativity, in terms of the ability to throw it to him, hand it to him. He’s electric and I think he can help the offense.”

And the Avila idea? Owner Jerry Jones has specifically mentioned drafting a left guard who could start as a rookie. TCU left guard Steve Avila would be on that short list. The 6-3, 320-pound prospect grew up in Arlington and went to South Grand Prairie High School before jumping to TCU, with a career highlighted by the fact that in 2022, he didn't give up a sack.

And Avila is talking opening about "staying home.''

"It would be honestly the best to stay home," Avila said. "I've been home my whole career. So we'll see if we can keep that streak going."

Given how highly touted Bijan is, the chances of him remaining until late in the first round are slim. Meanwhile, Avila is seen by our man Dane Brugler as a top-50 prospect, so No. 26 should see him as still available.

Dallas will obviously rank Bijan way above Avila; it would likely take a trade-up to snag the Longhorns star. So maybe the best use of the resources is on a potential immediate starter rather than a “luxury” piece to share snaps with Pollard?

We're not fans of "drafting a position''; "drafting a player'' is smarter. But when "need'' and a player's status on the Big Board mesh? One of these two ideas can work.

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