Cowboys take national champion RB in latest mock draft

Blake Corum.

A new mock draft has the Dallas Cowboys finding a potential steal in the third round.

The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf predicts Dallas will take Michigan running back Blake Corum with the 87th overall pick of the draft. Taking the 23-year-old would help Dallas fill one of its biggest roster holes.

Former Pro Bowl RB Tony Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75M deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Dallas re-signed RB2 Rico Dowdle to a one-year, $1.255M deal, but he only rushed for 361 yards and two TDs on 89 carries in 16 games in 2023.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Dallas is considering a reunion with RB Ezekiel Elliott. The 28-year-old ran for 642 yards and three TDs on 184 carries in 17 games with the New England Patriots last season. Signing him would add depth, but it shouldn’t prevent the Cowboys from drafting another back.

CBS Sports’ Shanna McCarriston reported the Cowboys recently hosted Texas RB Jonathon Brooks, who suffered a torn ACL in November. However, Dallas could take Corum instead if it has concerns about Brooks’ injury.

In 15 games in 2023, the national champion Corum led the FBS in rushing TDs (27). The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rates him as the second-best RB in the class behind Brooks.

“After becoming the Wolverines’ starter in 2022, he established himself as the straw that stirred the offensive drink,” wrote Brugler. “[Former Michigan head coach] Jim Harbaugh puts Corum in the same conversation as Frank Gore as the best running backs he ever coached.”

Gore made five Pro Bowls in 16 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Perhaps Corum will become a similar player.

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