The Dallas Cowboys had their third player opt-out of the 2020 season when fullback Jamize Olawale elected to sit out due to health concerns over the corona virus. The veteran’s absence has left a void for the team, who no longer has a fullback with any NFL experience on the roster.
However, that doesn’t mean the Cowboys don’t have player capable of filling the position. Undrafted free agent Sewo Olonilua was signed with the possibility of the team moving him to FB in mind.
With Jamize Olawale opting out, Cowboys have three options at fullback. First: entrust undrafted rookie Sewo Olonilua. He’ll need to show value on special teams, not just as blocker, runner or receiver. Others: turn to veteran FA or don’t carry FB at all. No decision needed today
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 2, 2020
It would be a significant change for Olonilua, who ran the ball 134 times last season at TCU. His size, 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, however, makes Olonilua an ideal candidate to switch to a FB role. He weighs the same as Olawale and Dallas has to be hoping Olonilua can bring the same physical presence as a blocker that he did as a runner.
Olonilua arrived at TCU as a four-star recruit and played as a true freshman, demonstrating he had the physical tools to play right away. He played RB all four years, amassing 1,624 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on the ground, adding another score through the air.
Yet it was Olonilua’s work in all facets of his game that was most impressive. Coming out of high school near Houston, Texas, Olonilua also played linebacker, which led to his inclusion on special teams at TCU. If Olonilua’s going to stick with the Cowboys as their FB, he’ll also likely to be putting in work on John Fassel’s units.
Those roster spots are too valuable to have a FB who doesn’t have another job, there just aren’t enough snaps to justify keeping one if he doesn’t play on special teams. Olawale did, and if Olonilua wants to stake his claim to a roster spot, he’ll likely be pulling double duty at FB and on ST’s.
Olonilua’s path to make the Cowboys is now clear, he’s the clubhouse leader to win the FB spot. There isn’t another FB on the roster and his age, running ability and durability are all positives. In addition, his work on special teams should help Olonilua earn a spot on the 53-man roster if the Cowboys choose to keep a FB.
New coach Mike McCarthy does have an affinity for fullbacks, most notably utilizing John Kuhn for nine seasons. Kuhn saw the field as a blocker, but also was called upon in goal line situations, scoring 15 touchdowns during McCarthy’s time in Green Bay. With Olonilua’s prowess as a power runner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCarthy use him in the red zone to keep opponents guessing.
Sewo Olonilua seemed to be an afterthought when the Cowboys added him as an undrafted free agent. Now, he might be called upon to play an important role for the team as its lead FB. Olonilua’s opportunity has arrived.
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This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown.
| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory | Gerald McCoy | Dorance Armstrong |
| L.P. Ladouceur | DeMarcus Lawrence | Blake Jarwin | CeeDee Lamb |
| Cole Hikutini | Dalton Schultz | Noah Brown | Sean McKeon |
| Ventell Bryant | Jon’vea Johnson | Blake Bell | Justin Hamilton |
| Cody Wichmann | Tyron Smith | Ladarius Hamilton |
| Neville Gallimore | Terence Steele | Joe Looney | La’el Collins |
| Zack Martin | Brandon Knight | Ron’Dell Carter | Wyatt Miller |
| Connor McGovern | Tyler Biadasz | Adam Redmond | Luke Gifford |
| Leighton Vander Esch | Justin March | Connor Williams | Bradlee Anae |
| Sean Lee | Jamize Olawale | Joe Thomas | Francis Bernard |
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