Twenty-eight NFL teams are already making preparations for the 2024 offseason. They will be looking to reset certain areas of their rosters for a fresh start. The Dallas Cowboys, in particular, might be in for a new beginning at the running back position.
With last season's starter, Tony Pollard, and backup Rico Dowdle set to become unrestricted free agents, the team will face some questions regarding their backfield heading into the offseason.
The Cowboys turned to Pollard as the lead back in 2023 following a Pro Bowl season in 2022.
While Pollard had near similar numbers, the fifth-year back managed just a single 100-yard rushing performance last season.
In 2023, Pollard also saw declines in yards per attempt and per game.
Overall, Dallas saw a decline in rushing yards per game from 135.2 yards in 2022 to 112.9 yards in 2023.
Assuming Dallas lets the former 2019 fourth-round selection walk, the Cowboys will be in the market for a new back.
Most critics will agree that looking at the draft is always the best option.
Why not?
Running backs can be found anywhere. The only problem is that this upcoming draft is not deep on ball carriers.
ESPN's highest-ranking back on their draft board is Texas' Jonathan Brooks at 72, followed by USC's MarShawn Lloyd at 73.
Even if the Cowboys added a running back during the draft, the backfield would consist of rookie and second-year backs Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke.
The lack of experience could be a concern going into the 2024 season.
While the team should consider drafting help in the backfield, they must also consider adding a veteran player in free agency.
Let's look at five free-agent running backs that Dallas should consider signing, as several notable backs are set to hit the open market.
Zack Moss
Let's kick off the list with a lower-end but still solid option.
Zack Moss spent the first two and a half seasons of his career with the Buffalo Bills before being traded in 2022 to the Indianapolis Colts.
After an injury to Colts' star running back Jonathon Taylor, Moss became the featured back.
In 2023, Moss had career highs in rushing attempts (183), rushing yards (794), and rushing touchdowns (five).
Moss had a pair of breakout games in weeks two and four.
In week two, Moss carried the ball 30 times for 122 yards and added a receiving touchdown in a 22-19 overtime win vs. the Ravens.
Two weeks later, Moss rushed for 165 yards off 23 attempts and added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Helping lead the Colts to a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Even when Taylor returned from injury, Moss still had a significant role in the offense as he managed four games of 10 or more carries.
Moss proved he can be a starter through his first four games of the season.
With Taylor sidelined, Moss missed week one, but in weeks two through five, the fifth-year back rushed for 445 yards (5.0 avg) and one rushing touchdown. That's 111.3 rushing yards per game.
However, it doesn't stop there. Moss also proved to be an efficient pass blocker.
Per Pro Football Focus, Moss had 50 pass-blocking snaps and registered a respectable 62.0 grade.
Pass blocking doesn't appear on highlights or the stat sheet for running backs. Yet, it's just as valuable a skill for a back to possess.
The price shouldn't be a concern. According to Spotrac, Moss has a market value of $4.6m.
The Cowboys should consider Moss, who, at 26, is looking for an opportunity to continue to show he can be an RB1.
AJ Dillon
From one back who deserves a starting gig to potentially another. AJ Dillon is another name set to hit the open market and will be looking for the opportunity to lead a backfield in 2024.
Selected by the Packers 62nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dillon has served as a solid complimentary back to Aaron Jones.
The powerful and athletic 247-pound back is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 613 yards and two scores.
However, from a career perspective, as a number two back, Dillon has rushed for 2,428 yards and 16 career rushing touchdowns over the first four seasons of his career.
In addition, Dillon has shown he can be reliable at times as a receiver, totaling 86 receptions, 763 yards, and two touchdowns.
Some of you owe AJ Dillon an apology.
LOOK AT THE QUADS RUN RIGHT THROUGH THE SOULS OF THOSE DEFENDERS. 😤🚂 #GOPACKGO pic.twitter.com/4dalK7KCil
— 𝐽𝐸𝑁 𝑀𝐴𝐶𝐾 🧀 (@BigMack_4) December 12, 2023
As for Dillon's skill set, the former Boston College star known as “Quadzilla” is a power runner who could help the Cowboys' offense in short-yardage situations.
Similar to Moss, Dillion can also assist in pass protection.
AJ Dillon's block is bodacious pic.twitter.com/tA6ogiucTD
— Steve Palec (@stevepalec) August 20, 2023
Should the Cowboys limit their spending on a running back, Dillon might be another reasonable option.
Per Spotrac, Dillon has a market value of just $3.5 million.
Saquon Barkley
Alright, it's time for some fun.
Saquon Barkley is a free agent and does not want to play under the franchise tag again, no matter what.
He had a comeback player of the year-like season in 2022, rushing for over 1,300 yards, but in 2023, he missed three games and played behind a poor offensive line, still managing to run for 962 yards and six touchdowns.
Barkley, a two-time pro bowler, may benefit from an opportunity to start fresh elsewhere, as the Giants had high hopes going into 2023 following a playoff campaign in 2022, but ultimately the season ended with disappointment.
Suppose Cowboys fans are willing to look past his injuries. Why not go after an all-world back?
In his time with the Giants, Barkley has accounted for 5,211 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, and has three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
He has totaled 288 receptions for 2,100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a receiver.
Barkley is an explosive back with elite athleticism, great patience, and outstanding make-and-miss abilities.
Apart from the Giants' 2022 playoff season, the team has struggled throughout his time in the Big Apple.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old may still have his best football ahead of him.
If the Cowboys make this move, Barkley will get the opportunity to play behind a better offensive line, a more efficient passing game, and with better surrounding talent.
Seeing a move like this happen would be mind-blowing, but anything is possible when your team's owner and general manager is Jerry Jones.
The only concern here is that the Cowboys would have to open their pockets for one of the league's most explosive playmakers.
Josh Jacobs
Let's keep going from one star to another.
Josh Jacobs would provide a massive spark to the Cowboys backfield. Heading into free agency, Jacobs might be the best back available.
Despite missing four games in 2023, Jacobs rushed for 805 yards and six touchdowns.
Josh Jacobs vs Kansas City Chiefs edit pic.twitter.com/ZEP8TXoz6g
— NFL Arşiv (@NflArsiv) January 19, 2024
However, the fifth-year back is only two seasons removed from a rushing title in 2022, a year in which Jacobs totaled 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In addition to being a top-tier back, Jacobs is also an asset in the passing game, having caught 50 or more passes in two of the last three seasons.
Like Barkley, the former first-round pick received the franchise tag in 2023 and is looking to secure the bag ahead of the 2024 season.
D'Andre Swift
Dallas could look to sign a free agent back from their rivals.
D'Andre Swift spent the 2023 season playing for the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles acquired Swift through a 2023 draft day trade with the Detroit Lions.
In his lone season in Philly, Swift eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career, finishing with 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Like most options on this list, Swift also provides value as a receiver.
The former Georgia Bulldog has career receiving totals of 195 receptions, 1,412 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns.
Swift has caught 40 or more passes in three of his first four seasons and has racked up 350 plus receiving yards in that same span.
As a runner, Swift 5-9, 215 pounds, may not have the physicality of an AJ Dillon but is shifty and can weave his way through traffic.
.@DAndreSwift scores in Kansas City!
📺: #PHIvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/f0JSux0GFT pic.twitter.com/hIyQYB7CdT— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2023
Before last season, Swift was never considered a work horseback.
Much of that comes from splitting carries in the past.
Fortunately, that all changed for the former second-rounder, who had eight games of 15 or more carries in 2023.
