Dallas Cowboys: Will the Cowboys add a veteran RB?

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for Cowboys Camp at the end of July (dates and times here), they will enter training camp for the first time in forever being satisfied with every position except kicker. And even that position they feel they’ll find the right candidate.

But outside of kicker, there is one other position that carries a slight concern. Not a major concern, but a concern, nonetheless. It’s not because of a lack of talent at the position, but because of the unknown of the backup players that play the same position.

If you a have not guessed the position yet, it’s the running back position. Yes, I expect Tony Pollard to bounce back better than ever from a broken leg and ball out on his $10 million dollar franchise tag, but despite the potential we all see in the other running backs, the Dallas Cowboys would be wise, or at least consider, to still find a veteran running back to join with Pollard and company.

The Dallas Cowboys will feature Tony Pollard as its lead running back, but adding a veteran running back to its backfield would be a wise move.

For clarity, I believe the Dallas Cowboys currently has a promising stable of running backs in Pollard, Ronald Jones, Malik Davis, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, along with undrafted free agent fullback Hunter Luepke. So, if the season started today, this group would be decent enough to get the job done. But the key word in that aforementioned sentence is promising, meaning full of hopefulness.

This doesn’t apply to TP because he’s proven himself with limited opportunities while running behind former lead back Ezekiel Elliott. However, if the Dallas Cowboys want to give themselves a competitive edge this upcoming season, it would be smart for them to add a competent, veteran running back to give the offense a true 1-two punch to complement TP.

Fellow Sport DFW writer, John Herndon (John-John Madden), wrote a compelling article about the Dallas Cowboys adding veteran and Super Bowl-winning running back Leonard Fournette to the roster if none of the other young running backs do not pan out. I agree wholeheartedly with John-John Madden on his futuristic analysis.

Fournette is not only a good addition that can be that reassuring bell cow, but so can fellow free agent running back Kareem Hunt. And if the Dallas Cowboys really want to make a statement in the NFC, Hunt would be an ideal candidate that makes them a legitimate contender. I don’t care what Vegas says about the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers odds of winning the Super Bowl because the Dallas Cowboys would be better than them. End of discussion.

Hunt is an older version (turns 28 on August 5th) of TP with his versatility as a running back and receiving threat. Hunt possesses the skillset of a running back with excellent balance that combines as a powerful runner to bruise would be tacklers. Further, Hunt’s knack to find openings in the defense, patience, and vision would make him a dual threat to opposing defenses.

The icing on the cake is Hunt’s ability as a great pass-catcher and as an accomplished blocker, a pass blocking trait that would benefit Dak Prescott. Similarly, to how former running back Ezekiel Elliott protected his best friend from a raging linebacker.

The Dallas Cowboys sit in the prime position of knowing they can wait to see how things unfold with their young core of running backs before signing a veteran back like Fournette, Hunt or someone else.

But as my late grandmother used to tell me, “Experience is an excellent teacher that always win out!”  Maybe, just maybe, this organization will take heed to those wise words of wisdom when it comes to winning!

• Published on 06/28/2023 at 22:01 PM
• Last updated at 06/28/2023 at 22:01 PM