It was just a little over a year ago the Dallas Cowboys were rumored to be targeting running back Donnel Pumphrey with their fourth-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles pulled a fast one and traded up to snatch Pumphrey away one pick ahead of when the Cowboys were slotted to pick 133rd overall.
The Dallas Cowboys had to settle for their fallback option, Ryan Switzer, who unfortunately only lasted one season before being traded to the Oakland Raiders. Switzer’s career is now over in Dallas, but the Cowboys could have a second chance at acquiring their original target, Donnel Pumphrey.
As things stand right now, Pumphrey is still technically a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. There is really no indication the Eagles have given up on him yet, but he currently finds himself buried pretty deep on their depth chart. It’s not unreasonable to believe he only lasts one year in Philadelphia, much like Ryan Switzer with the Cowboys.
Pumphrey is really going to have to impress in order to stick with the Eagles, and I just find it hard to believe he’s able to do that with the current depth they have at the position. At best, he is probably fourth right now on the depth chart behind Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and recently re-signed Darren Sproles.
Unfortunately for Pumphrey, he could fall even further. The Eagles also still have Wendell Smallwood, signed free-agent Matt Jones (formerly of the Washington Redskins), and added former Notre Dame RB Josh Adams as an undrafted free agent. It definitely looks as if the second-year RB is on the outside looking in.
That could be good news for the Dallas Cowboys if they are still interested in Donnel Pumphrey. If he is indeed released, they could claim him off of waivers. They aren’t very high on the waiver wire, but not many teams are looking for a “specialty” back.
The Dallas Cowboys have been trying to find another Lance Dunbar type RB for a while now and Pumphrey would fit that role to a T. He is on the small side at just 5’9″ and 176 pounds, but he is more than capable of being a dual threat/complementary running back in the Cowboys offense.
Of course, the Dallas Cowboys may have already filled that role when they acquired Tavon Austin via trade with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2018 NFL Draft. This could squash any interest they may have had in Donnel Pumphrey, but I wouldn’t be so sure.
Tavon Austin is basically on a one-year rental unless the Cowboys decide to offer him a contract extension. That could possibly keep Pumphrey in play because he would not only be younger, but cheaper in the end.
I know I’m probably grasping a little bit here, but I could see the Dallas Cowboys seriously considering trying to acquire Donnel Pumphrey if the Philadelphia Eagles are moving on from the young RB. They could end up with the player they originally targeted in the fourth-round in 2017.
