The third week of the NFL free agency period is here and the Dallas Cowboys have done absolutely nothing to address the running back room. Addressing the backfield should’ve been the No. 1 priority following Tony Pollard’s offseason departure, but Jerry Jones and Co. have failed to make any movement outside of re-signing Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal.
Yay.
It’s especially frustrating to watch since there were plenty of free-agent RBs that Dallas could’ve brought in to replace Pollard. Instead, the Cowboys allowed big names like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry to sign elsewhere while serviceable rushers like D’Onta Foreman, Gus Edwards, and Zack Moss all signed for cheap.
There are still some decent available RBs out there, but the pool is dwindling. And, unfortunately, it looks like America’s Team is about to lose out on one of those names.
J.K. Dobbins is another runner that the Cowboys should’ve targeted this offseason, but they likely won’t get the chance. NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that the former 2020 second-round selection is scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.
It isn’t too surprising to see Dobbins visiting with the Chargers. After all, Los Angeles’ new offensive coordinator is Greg Roman, who occupied the same position during Dobbins’ four-year run with the Baltimore Ravens.
While adding Dobbins likely wouldn’t have guaranteed a Super Bowl for the Cowboys, that doesn’t change that he’s the kind of player they could use. Between his refusal to sign big-name free agents and extend Dak Prescott, it’s clear that Jerry Jones doesn’t want to spend money, which is why he should’ve taken a swing on a cheaper option like the 25-year-old RB.
After all, Dobbins would likely come cheap after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season. It’s his second major injury after suffering an ACL tear in 2021. Altogether, he’s been limited to just 24 of a possible 67 games over the last four seasons.
Still, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Dobbins’ latest surgery, told the NFL that the RB’s recovery has been “outstanding” thus far. The ex-Ohio State Buckeye knows how to produce when he’s healthy. He racked up 925 scrimmage yards with nine TDs as a rookie and even turned 57 carries into a whopping 397 yards and a touchdown in his final four 2022 regular-season games.
With Dobbins likely leaving the market, Dallas’ free-agent RB options are limited. Names like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kareem Hunt, and even ex-Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott are still out there, but no one truly stands out. It’s looking more and more likely that management will look to April’s draft for their next RB1.
But even without a clear-cut RB1 on the roster, the future looks bright for America’s Team. The Cowboys are currently tied for the fifth-best Super Bowl LIX odds on FanDuel Sportsbook ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
