I personally don't see the running backs as an issue.
I dont either. West can hold the fort down for 4 weeks. I dont think he will ever be a more than average, maybe slightly below average, lead back.... or a very good piece in a committee, but he can keep us moving for 4 weeks.
Dixon i have supreme confidence in. If he just stays on the field, i think hes going to be a great back. I know the sample size wasnt huge, but he led the league in some metric regarding broken tackles... maybe broken tackles per touch, or yards after contact per touch.... something along those lines. But, hes shifty enough to do damage in space, has enough speed to get to the edge, and that metric clearly speaks to his power. Plus his ability to catch the ball is top notch.
When I think of Dixon i just see later in the season when he was carrying 4 Steelers defenders for an extra 4-5 yards on multiple runs. First time he did it - i was like, wow! kids a beast.... then he did it a handful more times, and i became convinced - if we would just FEED HIM THE BALL and let him get going, he will be one of the better backs in this league.
I think Roman is going to be a godsend for this team and implement a running game that actually works. He makes things simple and caters to the strengths of his guys. Whatever it is - he just gets everyone on the same page, and gets OL moving people off the ball, and backs finding/hitting the right holes.
Add in Woodhead whose receiving ability opens up the run game. He gives us the ability to actually have
some success with all the delayed shotgun draws we called last year that made you want to pull your hair out. Just a great 3rd down option w/ his pass catching, route running, pass protecting, and converting those 3rd and 4-5's that we do run bc he forces the D to play pass and then he gets up field in a hurry and gets across that line.
Im with you - no worries about the running backs. Center is my only real concern with this team. Pressure in Joe's lap, and our backs getting hit consistently 2 yards in the back field will derail any improvement we do make. Plus, having someone that can read a defense, call out protections and help w/ blitz pick up is huge because while hes improved - its never been Joe's strength.
I still think Mangold is going to get signed. Steve B talked about saving that last bullet. I just think they want him to be 100% healthy, and he probably didnt want to have to do OTA's and all that. But once TC starts, and they realize Urschel/Jensen probably arent the answer - Mangold will be here before preseason games start.