Joseph

Randle

The exact extent of the injury is unclear, but Randle is “wearing a brace over his hand.” Randle wasn’t known to be hurt during the pre-draft process, so it shouldn’t be a real concern. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fully expects Randle to be DeMarco Murray’s primary backup as a rookie.

It’s another blow to an already suspect Dallas rookie class. Owner Jerry Jones insists the Cowboys “knew Randle’s situation” before drafting him, but essentially missing the entire offseason won’t help his chances of showing reliability to the coaches. Straight-linish and lacking elusiveness, Randle’s best attribute is receiving ability. He can’t catch with a surgically repaired thumb.

Fifth-round rookie and presumed backup Joseph Randle (thumb surgery) missed all of OTAs and minicamp. Meanwhile, Dunbar reportedly had a “terrific” offseason and has the trust of Tony Romo. It’s something to keep an eye on given DeMarco Murray’s checkered injury history. At worst, Dunbar will be the No. 3 back.

The Cowboys have very high hopes for Randle, despite the fact that he’ll miss all pre-training camp activities due to offseason thumb surgery. An adept pass catcher, Randle does little else well. On tape, it was evident his production was spiked by Oklahoma State’s wide-open offense in the defense-deficient Big 12.

“I’m ready to get it off,” Randle said. The rookie running back hasn’t been participating in OTAs, and he’s not going to be ready to take part in next week’s minicamp. Instead, Randle has been nose-deep in the Cowboys’ playbook. He admits the plays are “more complex” than Oklahoma State’s, but insists he’ll have it down once training camp rolls around. Randle and Lance Dunbar will compete to be DeMarco Murray’s top backup this summer.

Also injury prone in college, Murray has missed nine games through two NFL seasons. While we weren’t fans of Randle’s college tape -- he is straight-linish and not particularly elusive or explosive -- he’s going to be a worthy handcuff for drafters of Murray. Randle can get what’s blocked and catch the ball.

Randle ended up lasting until the fifth round, watching 10 running backs go before him. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ scouts love to overrate prospects that come from Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. They insist that Randle will be a significant upgrade on Felix Jones, but we didn’t see much evidence of that on his Oklahoma State game tape. Randle will be a strict handcuff for DeMarco Murray owners -- not a standalone fantasy pick.

Randle’s college listing was 6-foot-1, 200. Still just 21 years old -- he turned in December -- Randle left OK State after rushing for 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns on 274 carries (5.2 YPC) as a junior. In Indy, the forty-yard dash and agility drills could go a long way toward impacting Randle’s draft stock.

The times are disappointing for 6-foot, 204-pound Randle, who registered video game-like statistics in the Big 12 but benefited from massive running lanes in a wide-open offense versus generally mediocre defenses. Randle’s game tape is borderline day-two caliber, and he offers merely average size and speed.

Owner Jerry Jones has already proclaimed Randle as DeMarco Murray’s backup, so Tanner will have to fight Lance Dunbar for No. 3 duties. Beat writer Calvin Watkins believes Tanner has fallen out of favor, and will lose his roster spot to FB Lawrence Vickers. Tanner’s Dynasty light is flickering.