Cowboys: Should Dallas Trade For DeMarco Murray?

The Dallas Cowboys will be looking to bolster a dangerously thin backfield in 2016, but could this involve a former teammate that led the NFL in rushing in 2014.

A number of names have been tossed around as future Dallas Cowboys running backs come next season. As of right now, only 2015 1,000-plus yard rusher Darren McFadden looks to play a key role in the Dallas backfield.

Looking towards the future, college prospects like ’15 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry of Alabama and Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State would represent distinct possibilities in the NFL Draft in April. There’s still the question of whether or not the Cowboys will use an early pick on any running back, and Henry and Elliott will be gone early.

NFL veteran runners could also be brought in once the free-agent signing period begins in March. In this case, names like Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, Doug Martin of the Tamp Bay Buccaneers or Lamar Miller of the Miami Dolphins could easily be recruited by the Cowboys.

Or, there’s a guy you might remember named DeMarco Murray, who might be available via trade.

Having left the Cowboys almost a year ago for a surprising contract offered by the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s been known for months that this move was basically a disaster for an Eagles fan base that certainly didn’t deserve anything to cheer about where a former Dallas runner is concerned. In fact, Murray was actually demoted towards the latter stages of last season, a move eventually overshadowed by the unexpected firing of then-head coach Chip Kelly, who’s now preparing to decimate a once proud San Francisco 49ers franchise – Cowboys fans are going to love watching that unfold.

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According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, the Eagles have formally decided to feel out trade offers for their unhappy running back who gained just 702 yards rushing in what might be his only season wearing pine green – Murray set a Dallas franchise-record in 2014 with 1,845 yards rushing while leading the NFL.

As it’s been pointed out already, the biggest obstacle in Murray ending up back with the Cowboys is exactly how much money he’ll be expecting. It won’t be anything like the $7 million base-salary he’s currently scheduled to earn in Philly.

If Murray is willing to take less, exactly how much less is that?

While a player like Miller might cost even more than Murray did a year ago, he’s also more durable and a bit younger, obviously a better investment should Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones even consider an already established NFL running back.

I can’t see this happening, given that there’s too many others ways to get quality running backs behind a young offensive line that’s already loaded with Pro Bowl talent. Dallas isn’t likely to be more willing to pay Murray now than it was a year ago, right?

Further, even if Murray is so unhappy that he’ll take less money to get out of the ‘City of Brotherly Love,’ there’s nothing to say that any team in the league is willing to give the Eagles what they think they deserve for letting Murray out of a stunning five-year contract worth $40 million with $21 million guaranteed.

Sorry, but I don’t see this all adding up to a romantic reunion between the Cowboys and Murray. Things are going to have to fall into place in such fashion that the odds are extremely low – plus, Murray fumbles too much for my taste.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: How Good Is Darren McFadden

Do the Cowboys need a true, franchise running back?

Yes.

Is Murray that guy?

No, not at 29-years old exactly a week following Super Bowl LI next year.

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