While the Cowboys are improbably in the NFC East race, the college football season is coming to an end and the 2016 NFL Draft is creeping up.
A number of draft experts have already released their big boards and position rankings for each positions. With that in mind it's time to take a look at some options at one of the Cowboys' biggest needs: running back.
ESPN's Todd McShay, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang, and Bleacher Report's Matt Miller all have running back rankings.
Here's a look at the top five running backs, based on the average ranking of the player among all four outlets.
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State (Avg. rank: 1)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 225 pounds
Class: Junior
Stats: 262 carries, 1,672 yards, 19 TDs; 26 receptions, 176 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 1. (1:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: The junior is the consensus top running back on the board and is the only running back projected as a solid first-round pick. He has already said he'll enter this year's draft.
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama (Avg. rank: 3)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 242 pounds
Class: Junior
Stats: 339 carries, 1,986 yards, 23 touchdowns; 10 receptions, 97 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: The Cotton Bowl vs. Michigan State in Arlington on Dec. 31. (8:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Three of the four experts listed Henry as the No. 2 running back on the board. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller had him No. 6. Henry is a big, bruising runner, but accroding to CBS draft analysts Rob Rang, possess surprising vision and agility.
3. Devontae Booker, Utah (Avg. rank: 4)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 212 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior
Stats: 268 carries, 1,261 yards, 11 TD; 37 receptions, 318 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU in Las Vegas on Dec. 19 (3:30 p.m. ABC)
Note: The redshirt senior projects across the board as a second-round pick. He'll should be on the NFL's oldest rookies as he'll enter his first season at 24 years old. Booker had meniscus surgery in November and missed the remainder of the regular season.
4T. Paul Perkins, UCLA (Avg. rank: 4.25)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior
Stats: 225 carries, 1,275 yards, 13 TDs; 27 receptions 234 yards, 1 TD
Bowl game: Foster Farms Bowl vs. Nebraska in Santa Clara, CA on Dec. 26 (9:15 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Perkins had the most variability among the running backs, being ranked as high as No. 2 at his position by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller to be ranked outside of ESPN's Todd McShay's top five running backs.
4T. C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame (Avg. rank: 4.25)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 220 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior
Stats: 156 carries, 1,032 yards, 11 TDs; 26 receptions, 308 yards, 1 TD
Bowl game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 1. (1:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Prosise is yet to declare for the draft, but if he does, the experts project him in the second to third round range. Prosise missed Notre Dame's final regular seasoon game with an ankle sprain.
A number of draft experts have already released their big boards and position rankings for each positions. With that in mind it's time to take a look at some options at one of the Cowboys' biggest needs: running back.
ESPN's Todd McShay, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang, and Bleacher Report's Matt Miller all have running back rankings.
Here's a look at the top five running backs, based on the average ranking of the player among all four outlets.
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State (Avg. rank: 1)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 225 pounds
Class: Junior
Stats: 262 carries, 1,672 yards, 19 TDs; 26 receptions, 176 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 1. (1:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: The junior is the consensus top running back on the board and is the only running back projected as a solid first-round pick. He has already said he'll enter this year's draft.
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama (Avg. rank: 3)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 242 pounds
Class: Junior
Stats: 339 carries, 1,986 yards, 23 touchdowns; 10 receptions, 97 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: The Cotton Bowl vs. Michigan State in Arlington on Dec. 31. (8:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Three of the four experts listed Henry as the No. 2 running back on the board. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller had him No. 6. Henry is a big, bruising runner, but accroding to CBS draft analysts Rob Rang, possess surprising vision and agility.
3. Devontae Booker, Utah (Avg. rank: 4)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 212 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior
Stats: 268 carries, 1,261 yards, 11 TD; 37 receptions, 318 yards, 0 TDs
Bowl game: Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU in Las Vegas on Dec. 19 (3:30 p.m. ABC)
Note: The redshirt senior projects across the board as a second-round pick. He'll should be on the NFL's oldest rookies as he'll enter his first season at 24 years old. Booker had meniscus surgery in November and missed the remainder of the regular season.
4T. Paul Perkins, UCLA (Avg. rank: 4.25)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior
Stats: 225 carries, 1,275 yards, 13 TDs; 27 receptions 234 yards, 1 TD
Bowl game: Foster Farms Bowl vs. Nebraska in Santa Clara, CA on Dec. 26 (9:15 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Perkins had the most variability among the running backs, being ranked as high as No. 2 at his position by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller to be ranked outside of ESPN's Todd McShay's top five running backs.
4T. C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame (Avg. rank: 4.25)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 220 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior
Stats: 156 carries, 1,032 yards, 11 TDs; 26 receptions, 308 yards, 1 TD
Bowl game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 1. (1:00 p.m. ESPN)
Note: Prosise is yet to declare for the draft, but if he does, the experts project him in the second to third round range. Prosise missed Notre Dame's final regular seasoon game with an ankle sprain.
