Cowboys Insider: DAL Would 'Be Absolutely Thrilled If' Bijan Robinson Falls to 26

The Dallas Cowboys just added another running back with Ronald Jones II, but they'd still jump at the chance to select Texas star Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL draft, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota.

In a mock draft among his colleagues, Machota pegged Robinson to the Cowboys with the No. 26 overall pick:

"The Cowboys would have to be absolutely thrilled if Robinson fell to 26. He's the type of elite talent they'd probably select if they had a top-15 pick. With Ezekiel Elliott released and Tony Pollard franchise-tagged, running back is one of Dallas' biggest needs. They are expected to pick one by Round 4, but none would make the immediate impact that Robinson would in the running and passing game."

Jones only made six appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, and his final year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 left a lot to be desired (428 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 16 games).

Rather than directly replacing Elliott, the 25-year-old might be more of a situational option alongside Pollard who gives Dallas some flexibility in the draft. The Cowboys could still target a running back, but they won't feel the same need to address the position.

Team CEO Stephen Jones told reporters in February the franchise isn't philosophically against using a first-round pick on a running back, but he seemed to rule out a repeat of selecting Elliott at No. 4 in 2016.

"If you're taking a player in the top half, you're hoping you've got a player who is going to be here for 10 years," he said.

Should Robinson fall to the Cowboys in the back half of Day 1, they should give him serious consideration.

In 31 games over three seasons with the Longhorns, the 5'11", 215-pound back ran for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns and caught 60 passes for 805 yards and eight scores. On talent alone, he's widely considered one of the best players in the 2023 draft class.

Even if Robinson were to have an arc similar to Elliott—he peaks early and begins to fall off after five or six years—that would be a good return for the No. 26 pick.