Cowboys Finally Sign a Free Agent Running Back and No One is Happy
Ever since star running back Tony Pollard left the Cowboys in free agency this offseason, everyone's been wondering who Jerry Jones would sign to replace him.
Well, the Cowboys finally added to their running back room today by signing a free agent, only it's not exactly an exciting addition.
According to Todd Archer, the Cowboys signed journeyman running back Royce Freeman on Tuesday night, adding him to a group that currently includes Deuce Vaughn, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Hunter Luepke.
The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal, according to source. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 17, 2024
Freeman was drafted by the Broncos in 2018 and has played for four teams in his career. He played for the Rams last season and ran for 319 yards on 4.1 yards per carry and 2 TDs. That was his best season since 2019.
Despite a mini-resurgence, Freeman has never been a featured back. His best seasons came in his rookie and sophomore seasons with the Broncos in 2018 and 2019. There, he topped out at just over 500 rushing yards and 5 TDs in a season.
Freeman played for the Texans and Panthers after that but didn't make much of an impact on either team. He also plays special teams, which will likely be a key element of him making the 53-man roster.
None of the Cowboys' current running backs have lead-back experience either. Based on this signing and the Cowboys' unwillingness to sign a big-name back, the assumption is they will employ a running-back-by-committee approach. They could also draft a running back, but even in that situation, they'll still likely platoon the role.
While Freeman isn't a big-name signing, he does provide veteran leadership at a position the Cowboys need it. After an offseason of waiting for Jones to make any signing, we gotta take what we can get at this point.
The Cowboys are currently the favorites to win the NFC East after winning it last year at +120 odds.
They're also -240 to make the playoffs, meaning oddsmakers heavily expct Dallas to make the postseason again.
They'll need plenty of help from their group of running backs to make that happen.