Cowboys find potential replacement for former Pro Bowler in new mock draft

ESPN's Matt Miller predicts the Cowboys will take Texas Longhorns RB Jonathon Brooks with the 56th overall pick of the draft.

"The Cowboys have yet to replace Tony Pollard but could get a potential Round 1 prospect on a discount after Brooks suffered an ACL tear in November," wrote Miller. "Brooks is expected to be cleared this summer to return to football action, which would get him on the field in time for training camp—and in time take the RB1 title here. He rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 scores last season before the injury."

The Cowboys are scheduled to host Brooks on a top-30 visit in April. Executive vice president Stephen Jones added team doctor Dan Cooper performed his surgery, giving the club more intel.

"It always helps when one of the doctors you're very familiar with does the surgery," Jones said Monday, per the team website. "If it wasn't for the injury, [he might have] ultimately been rated the best back in the draft."

Pollard's departure was massive for the Cowboys. In 17 games in 2023, the former Pro Bowler rushed for the 12th-most yards in the league (1,005) and six TDs. His backup Rico Dowdle didn't prove he's a bona fide RB1, amassing 389 rushing yards and two TDs on 89 carries in 16 games.

Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the team will consider signing Dalvin Cook and former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott to add more depth. Still, the Cowboys should draft another RB.

Despite the injury concern, Brooks might be worth the risk. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to former Kansas City Chiefs star Jamaal Charles, who made four Pro Bowls in 11 seasons.