When Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys didn't view running back as an urgent need during his pre-draft press conference, the owner wasn't tossing out a major smokescreen.
Twenty-two running backs were selected in the three-day NFL Draft, zero by the team from Dallas.
"We would have liked to have drafted a running back, but at the same token, we didn't think at any given time that we should pass at the player that was there, even with the running backs available," Jones said Saturday night, via the team's official website.
The Cowboys focused on the defensive side of the ball with five of their eight picks, including corner Byron Jones and outside linebacker Randy Gregory with their first two selections.
Despite passing on a bevy of backs in the middle rounds of the draft, coach Jason Garrett insisted the team's offensive plans won't change.
"We are going to run the football. Running the football is a really good formula for our football team. I think everybody saw that last year," Garrett said. "It started with us rebuilding the offensive line and being a physical football team."
At the moment the Cowboys' depth chart consists of Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams. McFadden is the only one of the quartet who has carried the load at any point, but he's injury prone and coming off back-to-back-to-back seasons in which he's gained fewer than 3.5 yards per carry.
The Cowboys could add a veteran at some point this summer or after cuts -- Stephen Jones cited LeGarrette Blount and the Patriots twice on Saturday -- but it's clear from the draft they have faith in their current stable.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast breaks down the 2015 NFL Draft, picking out the biggest winners and losers. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
