There are running backs in this draft class with gaudier stats than T.J. Yeldon. And there are ones with more raw talent, too. But it would be hard to find a prospect better tailored to play for the Cowboys at the dawn of his NFL career than the Alabama star, who is projected to be a second- or third-round pick.
In February, when Yeldon met with the media at the NFL scouting combine, his news conference could have been mistaken for an interview with the Cowboys’ top brass.
During the course of the Q&A session, Yeldon was asked about assets and rattled off some qualities the Cowboys are seeking in a runner to replace DeMarco Murray, who became the NFL’s reigning rushing champion by routinely locating the holes in front of him and accelerating through them.
“I have good vision, good cutting ability,” Yeldon said.
Check.
The conversation then shifted to a new topic: his comfort level performing in a zone-blocking system like the one the Cowboys employ.
“That’s what we did at Alabama,” he said.
Check.
And how about the benefit of playing for Nick Saban, the Alabama coach revered by the Cowboys’ Jason Garrett?
“His style, as far as how he prepares us, gets us ready for the NFL,” Yeldon said.
Check.
Yeldon, by all accounts, would also match Garrett’s “right kind of guy” profile. He’s diligent, football savvy and reserved, showing the same kind of introverted personality traits Murray exhibited throughout his tenure with the Cowboys.
Yeldon’s background is also appealing. By virtue of Yeldon playing in the crucible at Alabama, Garrett knows the tailback won’t cower in the spotlight tracking the Cowboys or be consumed by the idea of replacing an accomplished running back. As a sophomore in 2013, Yeldon became the starter after Eddie Lacy moved on to the NFL and became the league’s offensive rookie of the year.
That season, Yeldon ran for 1,235 yards and produced 14 rushing touchdowns — establishing his credentials as a patient, elusive runner with a fluid style that seems almost effortless.
The following season, he regressed from a statistical standpoint, rushing for 979 yards while dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries that hampered him during multiple games. He gradually healed. And by February, Yeldon was healthy enough to run the 40-yard dash at the combine, posting a 4.61 40-yard dash time that was bested by 18 other prospects invited to Indianapolis.
The performance was nothing special, but Saban has little doubt Yeldon will succeed at the pro level.
“He's got great size, is very instinctive, hard-worker, good person, can catch really well, big enough to block and protect,” Saban said last month. “I think he will do just fine.”
Saban’s imprimatur means a lot these days at Valley Ranch, and it may have pushed NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock to recently suggest Dallas as the most probable destination for Yeldon. But there are other reasons, too, that can be used to build a convincing case for why Yeldon could step in and be Murray’s successor.
Do a Cowboys-specific checklist on Yeldon, and the boxes will be filled in pretty quickly.
T.J. Yeldon
School: Alabama
Ht, wt: 6-1, 226
Background: Yeldon made his mark early in his career in the same backfield as future NFL running back Eddie Lacy. As a freshman, he gained 1,108 yards on 175 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns during Alabama’s national championship run. In 2013, he became the starter and was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches after producing 1,235 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. In his final season, Yeldon contributed 979 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 194 carries, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
Scouting report: Has good vision and a fluid running style. … Shows an ability to make quick, subtle moves and slip through small creases. … An effective zone runner who exhibits patience. … Has durability and toughness. … Struggles with ball security as evidenced by 10 fumbles in 576 career carries. … Has an upright running style that makes it difficult for him to shed tackles. … Shows weaknesses as a pass protector.
How he fits with the Cowboys: Yeldon’s background and familiarity with a zone-blocking scheme make him a good fit for the Cowboys. He proved to be productive at Alabama, where he averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Having played for one of college football’s powers, Yeldon has shown he can handle the type of lofty expectations he will face with the Cowboys.
In February, when Yeldon met with the media at the NFL scouting combine, his news conference could have been mistaken for an interview with the Cowboys’ top brass.
During the course of the Q&A session, Yeldon was asked about assets and rattled off some qualities the Cowboys are seeking in a runner to replace DeMarco Murray, who became the NFL’s reigning rushing champion by routinely locating the holes in front of him and accelerating through them.
“I have good vision, good cutting ability,” Yeldon said.
Check.
The conversation then shifted to a new topic: his comfort level performing in a zone-blocking system like the one the Cowboys employ.
“That’s what we did at Alabama,” he said.
Check.
And how about the benefit of playing for Nick Saban, the Alabama coach revered by the Cowboys’ Jason Garrett?
“His style, as far as how he prepares us, gets us ready for the NFL,” Yeldon said.
Check.
Yeldon, by all accounts, would also match Garrett’s “right kind of guy” profile. He’s diligent, football savvy and reserved, showing the same kind of introverted personality traits Murray exhibited throughout his tenure with the Cowboys.
Yeldon’s background is also appealing. By virtue of Yeldon playing in the crucible at Alabama, Garrett knows the tailback won’t cower in the spotlight tracking the Cowboys or be consumed by the idea of replacing an accomplished running back. As a sophomore in 2013, Yeldon became the starter after Eddie Lacy moved on to the NFL and became the league’s offensive rookie of the year.
That season, Yeldon ran for 1,235 yards and produced 14 rushing touchdowns — establishing his credentials as a patient, elusive runner with a fluid style that seems almost effortless.
The following season, he regressed from a statistical standpoint, rushing for 979 yards while dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries that hampered him during multiple games. He gradually healed. And by February, Yeldon was healthy enough to run the 40-yard dash at the combine, posting a 4.61 40-yard dash time that was bested by 18 other prospects invited to Indianapolis.
The performance was nothing special, but Saban has little doubt Yeldon will succeed at the pro level.
“He's got great size, is very instinctive, hard-worker, good person, can catch really well, big enough to block and protect,” Saban said last month. “I think he will do just fine.”
Saban’s imprimatur means a lot these days at Valley Ranch, and it may have pushed NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock to recently suggest Dallas as the most probable destination for Yeldon. But there are other reasons, too, that can be used to build a convincing case for why Yeldon could step in and be Murray’s successor.
Do a Cowboys-specific checklist on Yeldon, and the boxes will be filled in pretty quickly.
T.J. Yeldon
School: Alabama
Ht, wt: 6-1, 226
Background: Yeldon made his mark early in his career in the same backfield as future NFL running back Eddie Lacy. As a freshman, he gained 1,108 yards on 175 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns during Alabama’s national championship run. In 2013, he became the starter and was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches after producing 1,235 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. In his final season, Yeldon contributed 979 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 194 carries, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
Scouting report: Has good vision and a fluid running style. … Shows an ability to make quick, subtle moves and slip through small creases. … An effective zone runner who exhibits patience. … Has durability and toughness. … Struggles with ball security as evidenced by 10 fumbles in 576 career carries. … Has an upright running style that makes it difficult for him to shed tackles. … Shows weaknesses as a pass protector.
How he fits with the Cowboys: Yeldon’s background and familiarity with a zone-blocking scheme make him a good fit for the Cowboys. He proved to be productive at Alabama, where he averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Having played for one of college football’s powers, Yeldon has shown he can handle the type of lofty expectations he will face with the Cowboys.
