With Tony Pollard no longer in the picture, the Cowboys are an obvious candidate to draft a running back next month. A veteran signing before then would come as little surprise, though, and a pair of high-profile names could be eyeing a Dallas agreement. 
When speaking at the league meetings, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) Dallas will be making at least one addition at the RB spot. The Cowboys retained Rico Dowdle, who finished second on the team in rushing yards last season. Dallas also has 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn in the backfield, but an experienced option would be a welcomed addition to take the place of Pollard.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook “have interest in potentially signing” with the Cowboys. In the former’s case, a deal would of course represent a reunion. Elliott spent his first seven seasons with Dallas, twice leading the league in rushing during that span. His efficiency began to wane over time, though, and by the end of his Cowboys stint he was used more as a short-yardage specialist than a true lead back.
The Cowboys, as expected, released the former No. 4 pick last offseason with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. Elliott signed a one-year pact with the Patriots, and he split time with Rhamondre Stevenson for much of the year. Elliott saw a career-low 184 carries in 2023, and his 3.5 yards per attempt average was also the worst figure of his NFL tenure. Especially in a year which saw several high-end backs quickly land new deals, it comes as no surprise the 28-year-old (who, in fairness, drew trade interest at the deadline) is still on the market.
Cook likewise endured a disappointing season in 2023 after seeing his long-term Vikings tenure come to an end. After being let go by Minnesota, a lengthy free agent process ensued. Cook ultimately joined the Jets, but he struggled to carve out a role alongside Breece Hall in the backfield. New York waived the 28-year-old in January, setting up a brief audition period with the Ravens.
Baltimore used Cook sparingly in the postseason, and with Derrick Henry now in place a re-up with another veteran can be considered unlikely. Plenty of snaps will presumably be available in Dallas for Elliott, Cook or another experienced back looking for a new deal. Dallas would of course still be expected to use a Day 2 or 3 pick on a back during the draft even with a veteran signing, but with $6.7MM in cap space the team can afford a low-cost addition at the position.
Flip a coin, Jerry…either way you’re getting a 29yo retread to hold the fort through September until your draft pick is ready to take over. I’ll assume familiarity with Zeke will be a factor, and he’ll win out over Cook.
Dobbins or CEH on a 1 year show me deal would be cheaper. Heck, with JK’s injury history, it’d be cheaper to sign both of them over either Zeke or Cook
JK just joined the Chargers…. So be better hurry!
Dalvin should join chargers and share workload with Gus potentialally JK Dobbins and the younger backs they’ll sign. Zeke should take a small chunk of coin and try to win a ring while he can still blink normally, any role with Bengals Chiefs Rams etc
He might be better off in a secondary RB role with a QB who will throw him the ball like Burrow in Cinci or Allen in Buffalo.
Good point. Elliott was never a favourite with me, but he can both block competently and catch well. Great passing down back with the threat to run at any time.
If being a former cowboy qualifies someone to be their running back in spite of recent production, maybe they check with Tony Dorsett
With Belichick out of the picture, it looks like Jerry will now be the one trying to drive a DeLorean back to the future.
Zeke knows the system and is loved in the building. Give him a 1 year deal, draft a guy in the 2nd or 3rd round and go from there.
As of now popular consensus is the Cowboys drafting Jonathan Brooks Texas RB in the 2nd round. (Trey Benson Florida State and Blake Corum Michigan should also be in consideration.)
Zeke is toast.
Who doesn’t enjoy toast?
With a little butter and jam, delicious lol
dont sign either one of them. use the money for a plane ticket to go see Taylor Swift perform. either way you spend the money the cost is ridiculous
Hahaha. Washed up retreads.
The Cowboys should draft Brooks out of Texas