The Dallas Cowboys have a dilemma regarding Rico Dowdle. No matter what they decide to do, it will probably be the wrong move.
Dowdle will become a free agent next month.
In five years, he has earned a total of just under $4.3 million and 1.255 million of that arrived last year.
In 2024, he inherited the starting running back job for the Cowboys. In 15 starts, out of the 16 games he played in, he had 1,079 yards but just two rushing touchdowns.
He added another 249 yards and three touchdowns receiving.
Solid numbers, but not exactly the kind that should command a major salary. Dallas could tag Dowdle, which would cost them somewhere between $9.7 and 11.9 million in 2025, depending on which tag they apply.
Dowdle did most of his damage in the second half of the season, after Dak Prescott went down for the year.
That was mostly due to the fact that the Cowboys knew they couldn’t have Cooper Rush trying to be Tom Brady and win. They had to lean more on the run game and even that couldn’t save the season.
If the Cowboys were to draft Ashton Jeanty with the 12th pick in April, we’re talking around $30 million a year.
However, if they wait and take a running back in the second or third round, that number falls somewhere between $6 and $9 million per season.
Therein lies the dilemma for Dallas this spring. Do they drop the franchise tag on him and lock him in for 2025 at least?
Do they tag him and try to get draft picks in return if he signs somewhere else.
Do they allow Dowdle to walk out the door and see what he can get in free agency?
The latter option means they have to find a starting running back in free agency, or make sure they draft one early enough to be their bell cow back.
Roster Review 2025: Rico Dowdle. This is Part 4 of a series. Click here for a list of all related articles.
Outlook For 2025
Here’s the rub.
There is no good choice here. Given the Cowboys’ recent track record with spending on free agents and resigning their own players, do any of you have a good feeling about this?
Jerry Jones’ surprise that the Cowboys weren’t playing in yesterday’s Super Bowl is based, according to him, on the fact he paid $60 million a year to his quarterback.
Someone should tell him when you have a 53-man roster, overpaying a player by $20 million a year means you are going to come up short with the other 52 players.
That isn’t a winning formula. And that is one of many reasons why Dallas did not play on Sunday in New Orleans.
Here’s the two biggest questions Jones has to answer:
Is Dowdle worth $7-10 million a year? Is Dowdle the kind of back the Cowboys’ new offensive coaches believe will work in their scheme this fall?
I guess we’ll find out over the next two months as free agency and the draft unfold.
If I were a betting man, I’d say Dallas tries to sign him for two years at $7 million a season. But looking at my track record in picking the playoff games this season, take that with a grain of salt.
Long-Term Outlook
As far as Dowdle is concerned, unless he decides to give Dallas a hometown discount, he’s likely playing elsewhere in 2025.
Tony Pollard landed in Tennessee and had similar numbers as Dowdle did in 2024. He, however, had two previous 1,000-yard seasons in Dallas before departing.
Dowdle doesn’t have that track record on his resume, which should limit his options.
If Dallas doesn’t draft a running back early, then figure Dowdle has two more years to prove 2024 wasn’t a one-off.
Given the current contract status in Dallas, I could see the Cowboys trading out of the first round to save money and drafting a running back in the third round.