5 best free agent options at running back for the Cowboys
5 best free agent options at running back for the Cowboys
Twenty-eight NFL teams have already begun preparations for the 2024 offseason. They intend to reset various portions of their rosters in order to start fresh. The Dallas Cowboys, in particular, could be in for a fresh start at the running back position.
With last season’s starter, Tony Pollard, and backup Rico Dowdle set to become unrestricted free agents, the organization will have some issues about their backfield heading into the offseason.
Following a Pro Bowl season in 2022, the Cowboys named Pollard their starting running back in 2023.
While Pollard had nearly identical numbers, the fifth-year back only had one 100-yard rushing performance last season.
Pollard’s yards per attempt and game totals fell in 2023.
Overall, Dallas’ rushing yards per game dropped from 135.2 in 2022 to 112.9 in 2023.
If Dallas lets the previous 2019 fourth-round pick depart, the Cowboys will be looking for a new back.
Most critics agree that reviewing the manuscript is always the best option.
Why not?
Running backs may be found everywhere. The only issue is that the upcoming draft lacks depth in ball carriers.
ESPN’s highest-ranked back on their draft board is Texas’ Jonathan Brooks (72), followed by USC’s MarShawn Lloyd (73).
Even if the Cowboys add a running back during the draft, youngster Deuce Vaughn and second-year back Hunter Luepke will make up the backfield.
The lack of experience may be a worry heading into the 2024 season.
While the team should consider drafting backfield help, they should also look into signing a seasoned player in free agency.
Let’s take a look at five free-agent running backs that Dallas might consider signing, as numerous notable backs are expected to enter the open market.
Let’s start the list with a less expensive but still reliable alternative.
Zack Moss played two and a half seasons for the Buffalo Bills before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
After Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor was injured, Moss took over as the featured back.
In 2023, Moss set career highs in rushing attempts (183), rushing yards (794), and rushing touchdowns.
Moss had a pair of standout performances in weeks 2 and 4.
Moss ran the ball 30 times for 122 yards and scored a receiving touchdown in Week 2’s 22-19 overtime victory over the Ravens.
Two weeks later, Moss carried for 165 yards on 23 attempts and scored two rushing touchdowns. Helping lead the Colts to a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Even when Taylor returned from injury, Moss continued to play a prominent role in the offense, with four games of ten or more touches.
Moss has proven himself as a starter in his first four games of the season.
Moss missed the first week due to Taylor’s injury, but from weeks two to five, the fifth-year back carried for 445 yards (5.0 average) and one score. That equals 111.3 rushing yards per game.
However, it does not end there. Moss also proved to be an effective pass blocker.
According to Pro Football Focus, Moss had 50 pass-blocking snaps and earned a respectable 62.0 rating.
Running backs’ highlights and stat sheets do not include pass blocking. However, it is an equally valuable talent for a back to possess.
The price should not be an issue. According to Spotrac, Moss has a market value of $4.6 million.
The Cowboys should consider Moss, who, at 26, is seeking for another chance to prove he can be an RB1.
From one back who deserves a starting position to possibly another. AJ Dillon is another star ready to reach the open market, seeking for a chance to lead a backfield in 2024.
Dillon, who was selected 62nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Packers, has proven to be an effective backup to Aaron Jones.
The big and agile 247-pound back is coming off a 2023 season in which he carried for 613 yards and 2 touchdowns.
However, as a number two back, Dillon has carried for 2,428 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons.
Dillon has also demonstrated his ability to be a reliable receiver, with 86 receptions, 763 yards, and two touchdowns.
In terms of skill set, the former Boston College star nicknamed as “Quadzilla” is a power runner who might contribute to the Cowboys’ short-yardage offense.
Dillion, like Moss, may assist in pass protection.
Should the Cowboys limit their spending on a running back, Dillon may be a viable alternative.
According to Spotrac, Dillon has a market value of just $3.5 million.
Okay, it’s time for some fun.
Saquon Barkley is a free agent and refuses to play under the franchise tag again.
He had a comeback player of the year-type season in 2022, running for over 1,300 yards, but in 2023, he missed three games and played behind a subpar offensive line while still rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns.
Barkley, a two-time pro bowler, may benefit from the opportunity to start over somewhere, since the Giants had great expectations entering 2023 after a playoff effort in 2022, but the season eventually ended in disappointment.
Suppose Cowboys fans are willing to overlook his injuries. Why not go for an all-world return?
Saquon Barkley
Okay, it’s time for some fun.
Saquon Barkley is a free agent and refuses to play under the franchise tag again.
He had a comeback player of the year-type season in 2022, running for over 1,300 yards, but in 2023, he missed three games and played behind a subpar offensive line while still rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns.
Barkley, a two-time pro bowler, may benefit from the opportunity to start over somewhere, since the Giants had great expectations entering 2023 after a playoff effort in 2022, but the season eventually ended in disappointment.
Suppose Cowboys fans are willing to overlook his injuries. Why not go for an all-world return?
The soon-to-be 27-year-old could still have his greatest playing days ahead of him.
If the Cowboys execute this trade, Barkley will have the potential to play behind a better offensive line, a more efficient passing game, and a better supporting cast.
Seeing a deal like this happen would be incredible, but everything is possible when Jerry Jones is your team’s owner and general manager.
The only worry here is that the Cowboys would have to spend big money to get one of the league’s most explosive playmakers.
Let’s keep going from one star to the next.
Josh Jacobs would provide a huge boost to the Cowboys’ backfield. Going into free agency, Jacobs could be the best back available.
Despite missing four games in 2023, Jacobs ran for 805 yards and six touchdowns.
However, the fifth-year back is only two seasons removed from winning the rushing title in 2022, when Jacobs accumulated 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In addition to being a top-tier running back, Jacobs is a valuable weapon in the passing game, having caught 50 or more receptions in two of the previous three seasons.
Like Barkley, the former first-round pick acquired the franchise tag in 2023 and is hoping to secure the bag ahead of the 2024 season.
Dallas could attempt to sign a free agent back from their rivals.
D’Andre Swift spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending NFC Champions.
Swift was acquired by the Eagles in a draft-day trade with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Swift surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career during his one season in Philadelphia, finishing with 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Like most options on this list, Swift also provides value as a receiver.
The former Georgia Bulldog has career receiving totals of 195 receptions, 1,412 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns.
Swift has caught 40 or more passes in three of his first four seasons, totaling more than 350 receiving yards.As a runner, Swift 5-9, 215 pounds, may not have the physicality of an AJ Dillon but is shifty and can weave his way through traffic.
Prior to last season, Swift was never thought of as a work horse.
Much of this stems from previously separated carriers.
Fortunately, things changed for the former second-round pick, who had eight games with 15 or more carries in 2023.
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