The Dallas Cowboys will have to find at least one running back in NFL free agency this offseason.
Pro Bowler Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans in early March. This left Rico Doodle (361 yards) and Deuce Vaughn (40 yards) as the Cowboys' leading return rushers before the season.
The Cowboys, who have been surprisingly inactive in free agency so far, will need to hit the market. They will also need to add a rookie fairly early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Good news? There are a few options remaining when it comes to veteran running backs on the free agent market. Dallas is expected to take a committee approach behind quarterback Dak Prescott in the backfield, so adding a veteran would make sense.
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Ezekiel Elliott has expressed interest in returning to Dallas Cowboys
Michael Gerken dallas morning news A report Tuesday said Elliott is interested in signing with the Cowboys after spending last season with the New England Patriots. It remains to be seen whether the “Boys” will be interested.
“Team owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones told the Dallas Morning News this week at the NFL's annual meeting that they could neither confirm nor deny interest in running back Ezekiel Elliott. reported on possible interest.
The paper also noted that former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook also has interest in Dallas after being traded to the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens a season ago.
As for Elliott, he spent his first seven seasons with the Cowboys after being drafted in the top four by Ohio State in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The three-time Pro Bowler had his best performance in Dallas as a rookie in 2016, totaling 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns. That said, Elliott averaged 1,351 rushing yards in his first four seasons in Dallas. He struggled, averaging less than 1,000 yards in his final three seasons with the boys.
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At 28 years old, Zeke is a shell of his former self. Last season in New England, he tallied 642 rushing yards at a clip of 3.5 yards per rushing attempt.
At the very least, he could serve as a short-yardage option if the Cowboys want to renew their marriage after a one-year hiatus.
