Former Tulsa Golden Hurricane Dominic Richardson is looking to make a name for himself within the Dallas Cowboys organization. Sitting at the bottom of a depth chart with a clear leader and a large cloud behind him, the running back is set to begin his journey as OTAs close in for the club’s offseason schedule. Roichardson has played at various schools including the Oklahoma State Cowboys for three years, the Baylor Bears for two years, and finally, the Golden Hurricanes.
His college career has been quite an adventure, and when watching his film, it’s clear he runs with physicality, contact balance, while being dependable in pass protection. These are all qualities the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Klayton Adams seeks in his running backs. Adams has made it clear he wants his players to “create violence in the game” as he upholds a “physical, violent” philosophy for both the offensive line and running backs in outside zone, inside zone, and gap/power schemes.
Dominic Richardson Pro Day Measurement
HT: 5-foot-11
WT: 204 pounds
Arm Length: 32″
Bench press: 22 reps
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2″ inches
Broad Jump: 100.0 ” inches
40-yard dash: 4.66 seconds
10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
20-yard split: 2.81 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.15 seconds
Games Watched: vs Temple (2025) & Notre Dame (2021 Fiesta Bowl playing at OSU)
Strengths
It’s evident that Richardson runs with great intensity. He never hesitates to lower his shoulder, driving his feet to secure those additional yards, particularly excelling in second and third & short and red-zone scenarios. His robust 5-foot-11, over 200-pound build adds to his durability. Over his five-year college tenure, he has only two fumbles, showcasing exceptional ball security.
He is also proactive in blocking during pass protection, giving the quarterback ample time to make a throw. With his skill set and jump cut ability, he has the potential to become a dependable north and south rotational back at the next level.
Weaknesses
Richardson possesses the physicality and strength that are essential for a running back; however, he falls short in the ability to deliver explosive, game-changing runs. Additionally, he has tight hips, which hinder his agility and make him less effective in open space, relying more on power plays rather than quick, elusive maneuvers.
Where does he fit on the Cowboys?
Richardson’s best chance to secure a spot on this team is as the RB3 or a fringe practice squad running back. He shares similar attributes with RBs Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda, and Phil Mafah. The path for Richardson to make the roster is challenging, but he has established himself as a powerful runner, a short-yardage and end-zone specialist, as well as an effective pass blocker during training camp and preseason.
There should be a place for him on this roster because, aside from Javonte Williams, there isn’t a clear backup behind him. If Richardson makes this 53-man roster, he could join the ranks of the long history of UDFA gems from the Dallas Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Can intriguing Cowboys UDFA back jump to front of line thanks to fit?
Reporting by Kenneth Ball, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
