In a year where the Dallas Cowboys are supposedly “all-in,” according to owner Jerry Jones, the franchise has turned a bit of a blind eye to what could wind up being the roster’s most glaring weakness.
This offseason saw All-Pro running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry change area codes, former rushing champion Josh Jacobs moved on from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers, and the Cowboys even lost out on the chance to sign Aaron Jones, who landed with the Minnesota Vikings.
After allowing Tony Pollard to walk via free agency, the Cowboys reunited with Ezekiel Elliott, rather than going shopping at the top of the running back market.
The Cowboys are banking on Elliott having enough left in the tank to be the lead-back in a backfield by committee, after rushing for 213 yards with just one touchdown in five starts over the final five games of the 2023 season with the New England Patriots.
Not everyone is convinced the Cowboys have done enough to upgrade at running back, which has the potential to be the offense’s biggest weakness.
Should the Dallas Cowboys have Done More at Running Back?
Head coach Mike Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys sound committed to a running back-by-committee approach, but it is fair to wonder if Dallas left better options on the table this offseason.
NFL Media’s Kevin Patra suggests that the Cowboys’ backfield is one of the biggest remaining weaknesses for any team across the league.
“This feels like a true test of the theory that running backs are interchangeable,” Patra suggests. “After years of disparaging Dallas for paying the going rate for RBs in a dwindling market, can we scoff at the Cowboys for going cheap at the position, given the other rising costs on the roster? The glaring issue is that there isn’t a low-cost rookie option to lean on. Ezekiel Elliott played fine last season in New England but averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per attempt.
“He no longer owns the every-down juice. Entering his ninth NFL campaign, Zeke’s best attribute at this stage is his pass protection, which is great because the Cowboys figure to pass a lot. Rico Dowdle is a fine complement, but can he sustain with a larger load? Deuce Vaughn got little run as a rookie last year, and the Cowboys are cross-training him at slot receiver. Running a committee is an acceptable plan, but adding another quality body or two, perhaps after roster cuts, feels needed.”
It isn’t difficult to envision Elliott’s physicality proving to be an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations for the Cowboys, but, to rely on him to be the focal point of the ground attack feels fool-hearted at this stage of his career.
The Cowboys finished last season ranked in the middle of the pack, 14th in rushing offense, but it will be interesting to see if Dallas adds at the position during training camp or the preseason given the unknowns surrounding Elliott currently in the backfield.
For More Football News:
Follow Matt Lombardo on Threads at @MattLombardoNFL. To read more of our articles and in-depth NFL coverage, click here.
