ESPN Insider reveals Dallas missed on the second-quickest rusher in the draft, first interview was with the Cowboys

Add as preferred source on Google

The Dallas Cowboys left the NFL Draft nearly a fortnight ago addressing key positions in their trenches but failed to take a running back.

Their offseason running back saga has many chapters and it started when Tony Pollard was not franchised tagged.

Therefore, he chose to leave in free agency for the Tennessee Titans and a lucrative three-year contract.

Cowboys lose Pollard and fail to land Derrick Henry because of cap space

The Cowboys had their sights set on Derrick Henry, ironically, Pollard and the former could have been each other’s successors.

However, Stephen Jones has revealed that their cap space prohibited the front office from signing the four-time Pro Bowler.

In general, the running back open market was overpriced in the franchise’s eyes and they turned their attention to the NFL Draft.

Dallas was ‘zeroed in’ on Jonathon Brooks and Jerry Jones expressed his true feelings saying Brooks was the best player he had interviewed in 30 years.

They were dealt a ‘hammer blow’ when the Carolina Panthers traded in the second round to shock the Cowboys and steal Brooks.

Cowboys take Marist Liufau instead of Jalen Wright with no fourth-round pick

America’s Team was faced with a dilemma in round three after taking Cooper Beebe.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys had an interest in Tennessee University prospect Jaylen Wright.

Yet, they felt inclined to choose Marist Liufau because they had him graded higher on their board in his respective position.

Undoubtedly, Jerry Jones would have been eager to ring up Wright and say, ‘Was he ready to join the Cowboys’, but he never had the opportunity.

The 21-year-old was selected by the Miami Dolphins on Day 3 with the 120^th overall pick.

Overall, the rushing class of 2024 did not run deep and the Cowboys did not end up choosing an alternative.

Wright was one of the athletic backs who interviewed with the Cowboys first

Wright was the second fastest running back during the NFL Combine, producing a 4.38s 40-yard dash time.

In addition, during an interview with 247 Sports, Wright said: “I was nervous, especially because my first interview was with the Cowboys,” when speaking about the interview process.

Jerry Jones and the crew had shown they were keen and were the first team to have the privilege of interviewing the player.

Nonetheless, the Cowboys have brought back Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year $3 million contract.

Yet, the domino effect of the NFL Draft has left the Cowboys without that energetic youthful rusher.