The Dallas Cowboys, despite having three very talented running backs on their roster invested a third round pick in the versatile DeMarco Murray.
Murray despite his talent is expected to be third on the running back depth chart in Dallas with Marion Barber expected to be a cap casualty.
What is even more head scratching is that Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray all boast similar skill sets.
Despite all this the Dallas Cowboys simply felt that Murray was too talented a prospect to pass up in the third round.
Murray at 6’0 at 213 lbs ran a 4.37 40-time which tied him for best among running backs and that translated into the fourth best speed score of any running back at the combine.
Fantasy Impact:
DeMarco Murray enters a very crowded and talented backfield so we should not expect much from him in his rookie season.
Murray also possess special teams value which could help Felix Jones focus on the lead back role.
Murray has exceptional hands and may prove to be the best receiver of the three as hard as that may be to believe.
Murray, despite durability issues pounded the rock 282 times last season and added a magnificent 71 receptions, 594 yards and five touchdowns.
Some knock Murray’s talent as a running back but through 2007-2008 with Sam Bradford at QB he averaged 5.77 yards per carry on 306 attempts with 13.5 rushing touchdowns per season, his yards per carry dipped as Sam Bradford left the helm due to injury and than to the NFL to a less impressive 4.32 yards per carry on 453 carries for 11.5 touchdowns per season through the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.
What one should note though is that during this time Murray’s usage in the passing game increased exponentially from an average of 22.5 receptions a year to 59 receptions a year.
Murray is looking like a high upside stash in dynasty leagues for the time being.
Murray, however is only one injury away from becoming a fantasy factor so we suggest those in redraft leagues make him one of the first additions to your watchlist.
Long-term we envision Murray emerging with solid flex value as the 40 end of 60/40 backfield split; he will be even more valuable in PPR leagues once he starts getting a consistent double digit touches.
