The Dallas Cowboys have had a difficult offseason, by almost any standard barometer.
A Tough Offseason Worsened By Looming Decisions To Be Made On Key Players
Dak Prescott has been the surprise talk of the town this offseason, with his future in Dallas beyond 2024 still very much in doubt, having just 1 year remaining on his 4 year, $160 million deal signed in 2021.
Many have started to speculate whether the Cowboys will start to potentially put out feelers for Prescott, and trade him before the start of this season.
Yet, even without the noise, it has still been a less than ideal past few weeks.
The Dallas Cowboys Had Failed To Bring In Any Offensive Free Agents In 2024
Having failed to bring in any players this offseason, save for the sole linebacking addition of veteran, Eric Kendricks, the Cowboys saw future Hall of Fame left tackle, Tyron Smith, Pro Bowl center, Tyler Biadasz, and lead running back, Tony Pollard, all leave without a clear exterior succession plan in place.
We will have to wait and see whether UDFAs, TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman, are able to cement themselves as starter quality material, with Dallas trying to emulate what was a stellar offensive line in 2023.
However, at tailback, with just Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as recognizable names at the position, the Dallas Cowboys are finally turning to a free agent for external help. A free agent that will be very familiar to state rivals, the Houston Texans; per Todd Archer.
The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal, according to source. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in ’18.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 17, 2024
The Dallas Cowboys Bring In Royce Freeman To Compete For Starting Running Back Spot
Whilst Royce Freeman is hardly the hallmark names many Cowboy fans would have wanted, he does bring pedigree as a backup or rotational back.
After a promising rookie year at the Denver Broncos in 2018, where Freeman rushed for 521 yards behind fellow rookie and undrafted sensation, Phillip Lindsay. However, since then, the former Oregon back has failed to move his game to the next level, and has been unable to secure a starting job; instead being forced to bounce around 3 different teams in 3 years before now ending up with the ‘Boys.
Rico Dowdle showed some genuine talent in 2023, whilst pre-season star, Deuce Vaughn demonstrated promise, with production still a work in progress, after posting just 40 rushing yards in his opening NFL season.
In a weak running back class, with still large holes to be filled at offensive line, Dallas may not address the RB position at all until Day 3, potentially putting Freeman in a strong position to show why he is very much capable of leading the rushing attack for a team that is once again expected to contend for a championship, and is still favored to win the NFC East.
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