No. 28

Pick by Blogging the Boys Felix Jones Running Back Arkansas

With the 28th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have selected Arkansas running back Felix Jones.  David Halprin of Blogging the Boys, who selected CB Antoine Cason with his first pick, explains why he selected Jones:

  The Dallas Cowboys filled one major need by selecting cornerback Antoine Cason at #22, now they fill their other glaring need by choosing running back Felix Jones from Arkansas at #28. Marion Barber is the Cowboys starting running back but Dallas likes a two-back system and lost Julius Jones in free agency. Barber is a battering-ram runner who can make spectacular plays but lacks explosive quickness and home run speed. Enter Felix Jones, the Cowboys new change of pace back who is a threat to go the distance on any play. He already has experience playing in a platoon system and thrived in it and he offers a nice balance to Barber's style of running. He's also a threat catching the football and has big-play capabilities as a kick returner.

Jones made the most of his opportunities behind Darren McFadden and averaged just over 7.6 yards per carry over his career at Arkansas. That's second most in NCAA history trailing only Army's Glen Davis who played in the 40's. One of Jones' best traits is his ability to hit top-end speed almost immediately after he gets the ball and he won't be caught from behind. He operates in space well and has an uncanny knack for turning the corners on pursuers then hitting the next level. If given a crease at the line of scrimmage, he can accelerate through the hole and find the open lanes to rack up large chunks of yardage. Jones caught 39 passes over his career and averaged close to 10 yards per reception. He was also an All-American kick returner who averaged just under 30 yards per return last season.

The question with Jones is can he be a feature back? Probably not in the traditional sense, he's not overly physical and isn't the guy you want on a 3rd and short. But he can surely excel in a two-back system that utilizes his specific gifts. He only needs 10-12 touches in a game to be productive and he's always a danger to score from anywhere on the field. The Cowboys are an offensive team that really doesn't have an explosive home run threat besides Terrell Owens. Felix Jones will give them another option that can make an immediate impact on the offense this year.
 
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

I liked what Dallas did earlier in round one by selecting a cornerback, and again I'm enjoying their pick. Felix Jones may end up the best running back in this class, and I mean that. He's an excellent runner from the I formation and single back sets. He has the strength to run inside and the speed to turn the corner. He's an accomplished receiver and return man as well. He'll immediately contribute to a Cowboy's backfield that has a Pro Bowler already in Marion Barber III.

Grade: A  ::  Felix Jones Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Dan Connor, 2.  LB Jerod Mayo, 3.  QB Joe Flacco, 4.  Kentwan Balmer, 5. LB Shawn Crable

Three picks to go in the first round!  The San Francisco 49ers, represented by Niners Nation, are now on the clock.