Cowboys Finally Trade for Star RB in Latest Offseason Prediction

The Dallas Cowboys have a laundry list of issues to address this offseason. Although hiring a new coach is likely at the top of said list, the Cowboys' abysmal running back situation is another area that Jerry Jones and his front-office staff can't afford to ignore.

It isn't a secret how awful Dallas' backfield was last season. Ezekiel Elliott's return was completely unremarkable and it took the team too long to feature Rico Dowdle as the lead back. Now that Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis are the only RBs under contract for the 2025 campaign, it's clear the Cowboys must add a legitimate No. 1 runner in the coming months.

Fortunately, one NFL analyst has an ideal situation for America's Team's RB-related woes.

Cowboys Projected to Trade for Jaguars RB Travis Etienne

In his latest 2025 offseason predictions story, Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton has the Cowboys acquiring veteran RB Travis Etienne from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"With Etienne entering a contract year, the Jaguars may be willing to trade him and move forward with (Tank) Bigsby as their lead ball-carrier," Moton wrote. "The Cowboys shouldn't have to pay a high premium for the final year of his contract, and he's still in his prime at 25 years old."

On paper, Etienne is the perfect dual-threat RB option the Cowboys need to improve their offense. Through his first three NFL seasons, the former Clemson Tiger has amassed 2,691 rushing yards on 637 carries while converting 132 receptions into another 1,046 yards, scoring 19 total touchdowns in 49 career games.

Etienne was slated to lead the Jaguars' RB room again last season, but Bigsby had other plans. The former 2023 third-rounder broke out in Year 2, turning 175 touches (168 carries, 7 receptions) into 820 scrimmage yards and seven TDs in 16 games. For comparison, Etienne posted a 189-812-2 state line while making one less appearance.

If the Cowboys are interested in acquiring Etienne, they'd be doing so as he has one year at $6.1 million remaining on his rookie contract. Even though Dallas is already up against the salary cap with only $8.3 million to spare, Jones can always restructure deals/cut players to make the 25-year-old's cap hit more digestible.

Although the Cowboys could draft their next franchise rusher in April, Etienne could serve as a stop-gap if there isn't an available RB prospect that the team loves. If he's able to return to his 1,000-yard form in a fresh environment, Dallas could have one of the offseason's biggest steals on its hands.

And if things don't work out, it isn't a big deal. The Cowboys can wash themselves of Etienne when he comes as a free agent in 2026.

Whether it's Etienne or another name leading the RB room next season, one thing is clear: the Cowboys' backfield situation must improve if they want to return to the NFL postseason.

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