The Dallas Cowboys appear to be starting over at running back after losing Tony Pollard in free agency.
The team took a step toward retooling the position by re-signing Rico Doodle to a one-year contract on Monday.
Dowdle is coming off his most productive season in an injury-plagued four years in Dallas. He rushed for 361 yards on 89 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and scored two touchdowns. He also had 17 receptions for two scores and 144 yards.
He currently heads up a running back room that includes Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner.
However, the Cowboys are far from furthering their standing in free agency or the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
What's certain is that the Cowboys wanted to make the position cheaper in 2024 after paying Pollard $10.1 million in 2023 and $12.4 million for departed Ezekiel Elliott in 2022.
Elliott still counts $6 million against the Cowboys' cap in 2024.
Pollard signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. And the Cowboys did not bid on the services of other veterans in free agency, including Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.
But Vice President Stephen Jones said the team has a plan for the position.
“This is an organization that's been built on great backs, whether it's Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker, Emmitt Smith, Ezekiel Elliott or Tony Pollard,” Jones said last week. . They bring a lot to the table.
“Unfortunately, we're at a point where we have to make some decisions about where to allocate our dollars,” he said. “We feel like there are ways to handle the running back situation more efficiently. Let's see how that works out.”
Pollard was the first step.
Draft possibilities include Texas running backs Jonathan Bollocks, Blake Collum, Trey Benson, Bucky Irving and Jalen Wright.
