The Dallas Cowboys may have wanted Ashton Jeanty, but perhaps they can find a suitable Plan B on Friday.
We'll never know how high Jeanty was on Dallas' board, because they didn't get the chance to draft him. The Las Vegas Raiders swooped in on the Boise State running back with the sixth overall pick, and the Cowboys took Alabama guard Tyler Booker when it was their turn at 12.
Booker could be a great addition for Dallas, but this offense still desperately needs a running back. Thankfully, this is a deep draft class at the position, even if few others have the sheer talent that Jeanty has displayed.
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How long will the Cowboys wait to address their backfield during this draft, though? One NFL writer believes they'll take a new running back with their next pick on Friday.
On Friday morning, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic predicted that the Cowboys would draft Kaleb Johnson of Iowa with the 44th overall pick shortly after action resumes at 7 p.m. EST.
"The Cowboys were one of the pre-draft favorites to land Ashton Jeanty," Baumgardner wrote. "With the Boise State running back off the board by pick No. 12, though, the Cowboys instead opted for another mauling guard, Tyler Booker. They have a chance to attack this deep RB class on Day 2.
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Johnson, 21, is a 6-foot, 225-pound bruiser who racked up 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes this season. He led the Big Ten in rushing yards and total touchdowns, and was named a Sporting News first-team All-American after the season.
Building the ground game is the quickest way for the Cowboys to improve on their dismal 7-10 record last season. If Johnson is high on their boards, it's doubtful many fans would have issues with the selection.
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