The Dallas Cowboys were busy last week improving their roster, and this week they are right back at it, resigning Rico Dowdle Tuesday and hosting former Kansas City running back Ronald Jones on Monday.
With the release of Ezekiel Elliott, the team has already started to look for a possible replacement to backup Tony Pollard. Dowdle has dealt with injuries throughout the last two seasons and hasn't contributed much.
No details have been released yet on his deal, but If I had to guess, it would likely be a minimum one-year contract to give him a chance at competing for the third-string role. Injuries have stopped him from showing what he could do when his number is called.
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In 2021 he was hurt in the preseason and even came back and beat out Malik Davis for the roster spot in 2022. unfortunately, an ankle injury in the middle of the season put him back on IR.
The backup running back roll will probably be a mystery until the NFL draft concludes, but the team also brought in former Chiefs running back Ronald Jones for a visit/workout.
Jones, only 25 years of age, started his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they took him in the second round of the 2018 draft. He only appeared in nine games his rookie year but ran for 978 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020.
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His role disappeared a bit after the team signed Leonard Fournette. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2021 but became an afterthought after Fournette arrived.
After trading for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks, this team is making ALL the right moves. They added the two most significant weaknesses in one week. We all now understand that they now need someone to play behind Pollard.
Pollard isn't the type to have 390 carries a season. Coming off a broken leg, I want a solid back behind him. Jones is still young and could be decent for them if he can get his fumbling under control.
Still, as deep as the class is this season at running back, it is hard to tell what the Cowboys may do.
Bijan Robinson has been the talk of the town lately. Let's be honest, though; he isn't making it to the Cowboys' pick at 26. He is the best back in the draft.
Either way, the Cowboys could grab a guy like Tyjae Spears in the fourth round.
Yes, he played in a smaller conference at Tulane, but did you see his game against the USC Trojans last year? He rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns. He is worth a look at the backend of the draft.
The Cowboys have plenty of options at their disposal. Some training camp or preseason battle is bound to occur. Whether between the guys they have on the roster or players they add.
I recommend adding a vet like Jones and someone through the draft and letting them battle.
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I will no longer doubt anything the Jones family does this off-season. For now, I can give them their flowers. They are doing everything this team needs to be at the top next season.
