After a lethargic 2024 offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have been much more active to kickstart the 2025 free agency period. Although losing names like defensive end Chauncey Golston and cornerback Jourdan Lewis was disappointing, the Cowboys also managed to add fresh faces in the form of running back Javonte Williams and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
While it's been nice to see the Cowboys sign free agents, they've yet to address one of their more glaring needs: the backfield. With veteran running back Rico Dowdle becoming a free agent this week, Williams, Deuce Vaughn, and Malik Davis are the only RBs who Dallas currently has under contract.
The good news is that if the Cowboys are looking to sign another free agent runner, the perfect option is still available — especially if owner Jerry Jones wants to save a buck.
Cowboys Must Target RB AJ Dillon After Positive Injury News
A.J. Dillon is one free-agent RB who the Cowboys might be able to sign for cheap. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that "Dillon has been fully cleared by multiple doctors" after suffering a season-ending neck injury last summer and "is ready to return to the field in 2025."
Neck injuries are usually serious, so the fact that Dillon is cleared to play during the 2025 season is great news.
Drafted 62nd overall by the Packers in 2020, Dillon spent most of his time in Green Bay as the team's No. 2 RB, only starting in 11 of his 60 regular-season appearances. The former Boston College RB proved to be a reliable backfield contributor as his career progressed, recording at least 800 scrimmage yards in his last three seasons while scoring 16 total touchdowns across that stretch.
Having said that, how Dillon will perform after missing the entire 2024 campaign remains to be seen. The 26-year-old playmaker averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry despite seeing a personal-high 11.9 carries per game in 2023, making it interesting to see if he can reverse course despite his severe neck injury.
Interestingly enough, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last offseason that Dillon, who was a free agent, viewed the Cowboys as a potential destination. The Baltimore, MD native opted to re-sign with the Packers, however, he's now free to live out that 'what-if' scenario with the Cowboys.
At the end of the day, signing Dillon is a low-risk, minimal-money move that the Cowboys must consider. Much like last offseason's Ezekiel Elliott contract, a potential deal with the ex-Packers RB wouldn't break the bank, mainly because of his coming off a major injury.
If he pans out, great. If not, Dallas can easily cut its losses.
Regardless of whether Dillon works out or not, signing him would at least prove to Cowboys fans that Jones & Co. are serious about being competitive this offseason.