Why the Cowboys Should (and Shouldn't) Reunite With Ezekiel Elliott

3. Free Agent RB Market About to Heat Up

With the preseason upon us, that means rosters are close to being finalized. Teams will soon determine that some offseason additions aren't the fits they hoped they'd be, and they'll hit the free agent market with speed to fill remaining areas of need before Week 1.

Running back is one position that still has several veteran playmakers just waiting for a contract offer, with Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt headlining available options. It's difficult to see these four all being unsigned by the time the regular season rolls around, especially as unforeseen injuries at RB are bound to pop up around the league with players back at full-speed practices now.

As a result, Dallas can't afford to wait very long to solve its RB2 conundrum. They can offer a healthy role on a championship contender, which is nice at the moment. But a desperate team or two is bound to emerge in the coming days that can offer starting-level playing time and perhaps more cash to sweeten the deal. Suddenly the Cowboys would look less appealing, leaving them to pray one of their current RBs works out.

The Patriots are already in the mix for Elliott, giving Dallas some competition that has the money to outbid them. Elliott hasn't been swayed to their side yet, though, which shows some hesitation from his side. The Cowboys should strike before this expands to a love triangle.