4 Low-Cost Running Backs the Cowboys Can Sign in Free Agency

3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire

If Clyde Edwards-Helaire hadn't been a first-round pick he'd probably have a much better reputation. He gets flack for being a draft bust even though he's actually had a fine NFL career so far. It's also not like teams are going to need to pay him like a former first-rounder either.

CEH's role plummeted over the last two seasons, notching 88 touches in 2022 and 87 in 2023 after seeing 217 as a rookie and 138 in 2021. But he still produced well with those smaller workloads — especially as a receiver.

His PFF receiving grade leapt from 63.5 in 2021 to 72.7 in 2022, and then he followed that up with career-high efficiency in 2023. He averaged 8.5 yards per target on his 22 looks, which had him No .3 on the Chiefs for the season (trailing only Justin Watson's 8.7 and Rashee Rice's 9.2).

When we consider the contracts that other first-round "bust" running backs have received (Rashaad Penny got $1.2 million in 2023), CEH should be pretty affordable for Dallas. I don't think he'll be quite as cheap as $1.2 million, but most teams that aren't spending up at running back would rather gamble on a rookie.

Being a true contender, Dallas isn't going to want to trust a rookie on passing downs (especially in blocking for Dak Prescott), so Edwards-Helaire would be a great bargain.