The Dallas Cowboys come into the offseason with several needs after posting a 7-10 record in 2024. But one of their biggest priorities is fixing a running game that was one of the worst in the league last season.
The Cowboys' rushing attack is historically one of the pillars of their offense, but that wasn’t the case in 2024. Dallas ranked 27th in rushing offense with 1,705 yards and tied with the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, and Chicago Bears with four yards per attempt. Even worse? Dallas finished with just six rushing touchdowns on the season, ranking eighth behind the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, who each had eight.
After passing on Derrick Henry last offseason, many expect Jerry Jones to go big by selecting Boise State star Ashton Jeanty in the draft. But the Cowboys could take a step in free agency as well, since a budget-friendly running back just became available.
Raheem Mostert’s Release Gives the Cowboys A Perfect Free Agent Target
The Miami Dolphins announced that they released veteran running back Raheem Mostert on Friday. The 32-year-old has played for five different teams during his 10-year career but found traction during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, running for 772 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2019 season.
After battling injuries, Mostert signed with Miami before the 2022 season and found a way to stay on the field, playing in 44 of a possible 51 games the past three seasons. Most notably, Mostert displayed a nose for the goal line, leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns while running for 1,012 yards to earn his first Pro Bowl bid in 2023.
Mostert didn’t look like himself last year, running for 278 yards and two touchdowns but he could be an option to fill the Cowboys backfield. Dallas is expected to lose Rico Dowdle in free agency, and Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook are not expected to return after underwhelming performances last season.
If the Cowboys add Mostert, they can complement him with a pick in a loaded draft class at running back that includes Jeanty, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, or Ohio State’s Treyveon Henderson. It gives an area where the Cowboys have to improve a boost as they look to contend in 2025.