Cowboys Finally Make RB Upgrade Fans Have Waited for in Projected Trade

With the NFL trade deadline looming, the Cowboys need to go and get a starting-caliber running back.
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA;  Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy speaks with a referee against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy speaks with a referee against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
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With the NFL trade deadline on the horizon, the clock is ticking for the Dallas Cowboys who have a record of 3-4 heading into Week 9.

The Cowboys have various needs they should address if they are serious about competing for a playoff spot in the NFC. One of those positional needs is running back, which they neglected in the offseason.

Dallas thought they could get by with the running back trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn but it has blown up in their faces. The Cowboys are ranked dead last in rushing offense (74.1 yards per game), which is surprising to no one.

Therefore, it would be in Dallas’ best interest to explore the RB trade market and try to find a marginal upgrade. Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports believes Dallas should pursue a trade for Carolina Panthers veteran running back Chuba Hubbard.

"Jones would be wise to place a call to Panthers general manager Dan Morgan to gauge interest in a possible trade for running back Chuba Hubbard, who has been one of the NFL's most underrated players since entering the league back in 2021. Only 25, Hubbard has been one of Carolina's lone bright spots this season. He's had a pair of 100-yard rushing performances, two other games with at least 92 yards and is averaging a very impressive 5.0 yards per carry. He's also caught 24 of 26 targets with a touchdown."

Bryan DeArdo

If you are Jerry Jones or anybody in the Cowboys’ front office, Hubbard would be the perfect addition to the backfield, especially with the Panthers possibly getting rookie Jonathon Brooks back.

The 25-year-old running back has quietly been one of the better running backs in the league despite playing in a mediocre offense. Hubbard has recorded 593 yards and three touchdowns on 118 carries and can be utilized as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

Hubbard has a spectacular 5.0 yards per carry average, which is better than what the Cowboys are getting from Dowdle (4.2) and Elliott (3.1). The former Oklahoma State star is in the last year of his rookie contract and will be a free agent next season.

That said, the Cowboys could send a fourth-round pick to the Panthers for a player they might not re-sign next season. However, Carolina might play hardball after getting fleeced by the Ravens in the Diontae Johnson trade and losing the opportunity to get a comp pick.

If Jerry Jones is serious about winning, Dallas needs to get a running back to help this disappointing offense.

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