Why Joseph Randle Is Dallas Cowboys' Best Bet at Running Back

The Dallas Cowboys mandatory minicamp concluded Thursday in preparation for the upcoming 2015 season. Besides all of the discussion surrounding All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant and his potential new contract, a lot of focus surrounds the running back competition.

Replacing DeMarco Murray and his robust statistics is clearly going to be a difficult task, but Dallas has several viable candidates who would like to see how they could do behind one of the NFL’s best lines.

Although Jason Garrett and the coaching staff could opt to go with the running back by committee route, one of the backs will get the nod of being the top option. With more than two whole months before the start of the season, Joseph Randle is by far Dallas’ best bet at the position.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboy is entering his third year as a pro and could finally see a significant workload.

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Randle had only 51 carries in 2014, but he made the most of them. He rushed for 343 yards and three touchdowns in his limited role. Even though it’s not realistic to think he can duplicate his 6.7 yards per carry average from a year ago, it does provide some optimism for what he could be capable of with a full season as the feature back.

Thus far throughout organized team activities and minicamp, Randle has been the lead man. Not only does he know the offense better than anyone else at the position, but some of his competition has only seen limited time on the field too. Darren McFadden had issues with his hamstring, while Ryan Williams had swelling in his knee.

The Cowboys will most likely not reveal a starter until the latter parts of August, but it seems as if Randle has a leg up on everyone else. Williams has never been a featured back and is as unproven as Randle. McFadden has shown flashes of his stellar collegiate skill but has always found himself injured since turning pro.

The only other back who’s really vying for the spot is Lance Dunbar. Although his skills in the open field are elite, Dunbar wouldn’t make sense in the starting role. He is best utilized in the change-of-pace role and times when he can be a receiver out of the backfield.

If the roster stays the same, Randle’s young legs should take on the majority of the Cowboys’ rushes in 2015. He showed on several occasions last season that he has home run capabilities and is flat out the best option currently.

This could always change, however. Jerry Jones is never against adding new talent, and several running backs could find themselves without a team come September.

Dallas added former Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk last month to add depth and another summer body in the mix. It also had discussions with Ben Tate and former first-round pick Felix Jones.

The fact that this is a discussion says great things about the talent along the offensive line. Clearly the front office is quite comfortable with the running backs it has because it chose not to draft anyone, nor heavily pursue an established back like Adrian Peterson.

If Randle ends up being the main man in Dallas, he has the potential to put up extraordinary numbers behind one of the best run-blocking units in recent history. Tyron Smith is only 24, while Travis Frederick is entering his third season and Zack Martin his second. Randle has waited two years behind Murray and will finally get his chance to shine in 2015.