Cowboys Among Favorites to Sign Projected $22 Million Star RB

Cowboys Among Favorites to Sign Projected $22 Million Star RB

It’s not that the Dallas Cowboys had a bad running game in 2023.

It’s just that they were average and struggled in short-yardage situations after Ezekiel Elliott left and Tony Pollard took over the starting job.

That is not why the club lost to the Packers in the first round of the playoffs, but it did contribute to the team’s reputation as a pass-heavy offense that lacked balance throughout the season.

This year, the Cowboys were first in points (509) and fifth in yardage (6,317), but they finished 14th in yards on the ground (1,920).

Pollard, fair or not, will bear a large portion of the responsibility.

That’s why there are mounting rumors that the Cowboys may soon part ways with Pollard, who is a free agency this offseason, and look for an upgrade at running back.

They may not have to look far—according to gambling website EmpireStakes.com, they are among the favorites to sign division rival running back Saquon Barkley of the Giants in free agency this offseason.

         Cowboys Among Favorites to Sign Projected $22 Million Star RB

The Cowboys are one of eight prospective suitors for Barkley,

tied for seventh with the Patriots at 12-to-1 odds (7.7%).

Saquon Barkley makes sense as a Cowboys free agent target.

Barkley was a Pro Bowl running back in 2022,

but his production dipped in 2023 as the Giants’ offense faltered and

he battled an ankle ailment that cost him three games and slowed him down for longer.

He concluded the season with 962 yards on 247 carries, averaging only 3.9 yards per carry.

Still, when healthy, Barkley is one of the top backs in the NFL and could end

up being a steal considering his underwhelming season with the Giants.

Barkley’s market worth at Spotrac is expected to be $6.6 million per year,

with a three-year, $20 million contract.

Pro Football Focus is a tad more optimistic about the running back market in free agency,

forecasting a two-year contract worth $22 million for Barkley.

According to the site, he is the best running back available in free agency this offseason.

“Barkley is still capable of breaking off an explosive rush at any time and had numerous highlight-reel catches in 2023, including a wheel route score with a dive for the pylon in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.

There’s little doubt Barkley’s highs are as high as any running back in the game,

but the position market is a hard one to negotiate in 2024,

especially with his missing extensive time in three of the previous four seasons.”

PFF wrote: wrote in ranking Barkley the No. 29 overall free agent.

“The good news for Barkley and all free agent running backs this offseason is that the 2024 running back draft class is not perceived to be strong.”

Staying Put with the Giants?

Barkley’s future could hinge on how the Giants approach him.

The Giants have the best odds on the board at EmpireStakes.com—2-to-1,

or a 33.3% chance of staying in New York.

Barkley has said he aspires to play his entire career with the Giants.

(The Bears, Broncos, Texans, Eagles, and Packers are all on the list.)

But Barkley has also stated that he wants to win,

and the Giants are clearly a long way from the Super Bowl.

“Everything I want to accomplish in my career is still out there,

and I want to compete,” Barkley told USA Today earlier this month.

“I want to win Super Bowls and those are goals I want to add to my career hopefully next year.”

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