Position Outlook- Running Back/Full Back

This is my latest installment of my series called Position Outlook, where I will be profiling each position and the players that Dallas has for that position. I will be giving MY opinion on the relative strength of the position, and how likely I think Dallas will be drafting that position in the 2012 NFL Draft. I will include All current players+ practice squad in this evaluation.

Now I will be using Stats from NFL.com(where applicable) and NFLDraftScout.com(where applicable) as the basis for my Evaluation. I will also be giving the Contract Info via Rotoworld.com. Once I have shown the players, I will rank them using the 5 star method as Follows:

5 Stars- Minimum Amount of Quality Starters at Position and At least one quality Backup for Position= BPA only if player is ranked significantly higher than any other player, and would not be a factor in FA

4 Stars- Minimum amount of Quality Starters at position, Unproven Depth = Address as BPA and FA for Depth

3 Stars- Minimum of one Quality player at starter, young, but unproven Depth=slight need, BPA in rounds 4-7 preferably, look to fill need in FA

2 Stars-Serviceable Starter(s), No Depth = solid need, BPA if within rounds 1-3 if not taken care of in Free Agency

1 Star- No Quality players at starter nor in depth= major need, Draft no later than 2nd round, would take precedence over BPA if Gap is close enough, and is a must target in Free Agency

The series so far:

QB position 3 stars

Offensive Tackle position 4 stars

Offensive Guard position 3 stars

Offensive Center position 5 stars

Cornerback position 2 stars*

Safety position 3 stars

Defensive Line 3 stars

Inside Linebacker 3 stars

It seems that there is some confusion to the rankings. The grade is merely what I think the relative strength of the position itself is. I am not saying that any one group is "better than another" To Illustrate: I gave the Tackle position 4 stars, yet I gave the center position 5 stars. This is not to say that Costa and Kowalski are more talented than Doug Free, Tyron Smith and Jeremy Parnell. What the Rankings signify is the combination of TOTAL talent, age, and Contract status of ALL rostered players+Practice squad player FOR EACH Position. I am grading as a Group not individuality. While the Individual grades do impact the overall ranking, a "higher" ranking does not mean "better" or more talented. I hope that this clears up any confusion.

Now I was planning on following the Inside Linebackers with the Outside Linebacker position. However do to some confusion, and lack of updated information, I am forced to "skip" the OLB post and move onward. Fear not though, I will have the OLB post up eventually, I am hoping that once I get the updated Information sorted out, I will be able to Finish up the OLB post. But for now on to the Running Backs.

Felix Jones #28 RB

Height: 5-10 Weight: 217
Age: 24
College: Arkansas
Experience: 4th season

Contract Details- 7/25/2008: Signed a five-year, $10.525 million contract. The deal contains $7.665 million guaranteed, including a $3.57 million signing bonus. 2011: $1,023,750, 2012: $1.17 million, 2013: Free Agent

DeMarco Murray #29 RB
Height: 6-0 Weight: 227
Age: 23
College: Oklahoma
Experience: Rookie

Contract-7/28/2011: Signed a four-year, $2.97 million contract. The deal included a $662,000 signing bonus.

Shaun Chapas #45 RB
Height: 6-2 Weight: 247
Age: 23
College: Georgia
Experience: Rookie

Contract- undisclosed

Tony Fiammetta #24 FB
Height: 6-0 Weight: 242
Age: 25
College: Syracuse
Experience: 3rd season

Contract details: 2012: Restricted Free Agent

Well as you can see Dallas has as many as 4 starting quality RB/FB's on the squad. As you may have noted, I did include Fiammetta even though he is a FA. He is a Restricted FA though, and tagging him even with the Franchise tag, wouldn't be that hard, as he is classified as a FB and not a RB, and I doubt that any team would be willing to part with a high draft pick for "The Fiery One", as good as he is.

So All in all I can confidently give the RB/FB position a rating of 5 Stars- Minimum Amount of Quality Starters at Position and At least one quality Backup for Position= BPA only if player is ranked significantly higher than any other player, and would not be a factor in FA.

Up next TE position....