(SportsNetwork.com) - With DeMarco Murray now calling Philadelphia home, the Cowboys have a serious need at the running back position. The addition of Darren McFadden is at best a band-aid and it's a stretch to say Lance Dunbar or Joseph Randle are ready to be bell cows.
There is little question that Jerry Jones wants Adrian Peterson to sport a star on his helmet but the Vikings are playing hard ball and aren't going to move the disgruntled, former-All-Pro unless they are bowled over.
Jones' son, Stephen, the Cowboys' COO and voice of reason, who talked his dad out of drafting Johnny Manziel in favor of stud right guard Zack Martin last year has tried to play down the Peterson talk for now.
"I don't see us using any picks to trade for veteran players," the younger Jones said on a Dallas-area radio station.
Dallas could get desperate, however, if both Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon are off the board at No. 27, a likely scenario and one which could put Jay Ajayi in play especially if the Boise State back's balky right knee is sound in the Cowboys' eyes.
Ajayi is a well-rounded runner with the body type to develop into a primary option and because he's a Lone Star State native, Dallas had an opportunity to bring him in twice, at their local prospects days as well as one of their 30 private visits.
The Cowboys could use help at all three levels on defense, especially at defensive tackle where Rod Marinelli's scheme demands an impact player at the three-technique.
2014 Record: 12-4
Top Needs: RB, DT, CB
First Three Picks: No. 27, No. 60, No. 91
Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2014 - Zack Martin (OG, Notre Dame); 2013 - Travis Frederick (OC, Wisconsin); 2012 - Morris Claiborne (CB, LSU); 2011 - Tyron Smith (OT, USC); 2010 - Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State); 2009 - none; 2008 - Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas), Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida); 2007 - Anthony Spencer (OLB, Purdue); 2006 - Bobby Carpenter (LB, Ohio State); 2005 - DeMarcus Ware (OLB, Troy), Marcus Spears (DE, LSU)
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