Cowboys ‘All In’ on Drafting Braelon Allen? 'Perfect Fit' For Wisconsin RB?

If Tony Pollard moves on after a disappointing first season at the rushing helm, the Dallas Cowboys could turn to Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen.

The Dallas Cowboys could get downright cheesy at the upcoming NFL Draft.

With questions surrounding Tony Pollard's future, Dallas could look to the upcoming rookie running back class to start from scratch. University of Wisconsin news site Dairyland Express was happy to partly do the job for them, suggesting current Badgers running back Braelon Allen would be a "perfect fit" for the Cowboys' offense.

Author Jovan Alford suggests that Allen, a three-year Badger, would be a strong offseason pairing with a veteran like Derrick Henry, reasoning that he could be a project back behind an established ground star.

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"Could you imagine what Allen might do in a Dallas offense that features Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandin Cooks?" Alford rhetorically asks. "Not to mention, the 20-year-old Allen will be playing behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL."

Unlike the Cowboys, one can't claim that Allen doesn't show up for the postseason, earning MVP awards in bowl games after the 2021-22 seasons. It was part of a strong career at Madison that ended with two four-digit yardage seasons (totaling 3,494) and standing as one of 12 players in program history to score at least 30 touchdowns from scrimmage. 

Dallas' hand will be forced when it comes to run game, as Pollard, who disappointed in his first full season as the Cowboys' undisputed primary rusher, is a free agent alongside Rico Dowdle, leaving recent day three pick Deuce Vaughn as the only rusher under contract. Weighing in at 240, some scouts say the 6-2 Allen lacks the typical athleticism expected out of running backs but he could be a solid find in the middle rounds. 

'Loyalty'?! Pollard Projected to Sign with NFC East Rival

Two cautions here: One, we think Dallas leans to the draft here rather than adding multiple running backs by drafting one and also signing a “name” NFL star. (Though doing so would admittedly fit Jones Jones’ “all in” vow.) And two, as always, we steer away from phrases like “the perfect fit”; if Allen is “perfect,” how is he lasting until Day 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft?