In 2020, the Dallas Cowboys have an elite one-two punch when it comes to the running back position. Coming off another stellar season, Ezekiel Elliott will be a primary focus for Mike McCarthy’s new system. Tony Pollard showed several glimpses of speed and hybrid abilities racking up 455 yards on the ground, scoring twice and adding 15 receptions and a touchdown catch as a rookie. While this is set up for a successful 2020, what if this year’s running back room was a three-headed monster?
Darius Anderson comes in as an undrafted free agent out of TCU. Anderson caught the eye of scouts at the 2020 Senior Bowl where he finished the game with 43 rushing yards along with 87 receiving yards and a touchdown. Considering the volume of touches in this particular game, Anderson made the most of it.
Anderson had almost 5,000 career rushing yards and over 50 rushing touchdowns in high school and helped lead his team to a state championship his senior year. When considering a college to attend, he ultimately decided to stay home in Texas and committed to Texas Christian University (TCU). Anderson didn’t see the field much as a freshman but followed up with 768 yards in his sophomore season and saw the endzone eight times.
He had only 598 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his junior year which was a set back in both yards and scoring. As a result of this, he entered into his senior year listed third on the depth chart but quickly moved his way up to the starting role where he was able to set his personal best in rushing yards with 823. He also showed versatility by catching 22 balls for 128 yards which was also a career high.
Anderson finished his collegiate career with 18 rushing touchdowns and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in both 2017 and 2019.
Anderson’s strengths definitely lie within his vision and patience as a runner. He doesn’t have elite running back speed but he makes up for this in his ability to accelerate. Having this attribute opens the door for Anderson to get opportunities on special teams.
From The Athletic’s Dane Brugler:
Anderson is shifty in small spaces, but there is too much east-west on tape as he attempts to bounce runs outside. His marginal run strength and upright pads make it tough on him break tackles. In pass protection, he is barely a speed bump, squaring and extending, but rushers too easily go right through him. Overall, Anderson has the initial quickness to out-leverage pursuit angles and cut away from trouble, but he is too easily tripped up and needs to show better versatility as a pass catcher and blocker to warrant an NFL roster spot.
2019 Highlight Reel
2018 Game Film vs Ohio State
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4hHyBKu_Uc
On the surface the Cowboys may be all set at running back with Elliott and Pollard. The best chance for Anderson to make this year’s squad is definitely on special teams. However, much like how Anderson went into his senior year as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart, it may only take a few really good days in camp to show McCarthy that he’s due for a few reps to make some noise.
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 | Sewo Olonilua | Reggie Robinson |
| Donovan Wilson | Rico Dowdle | Chris Westry |
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