Perfect RB for Cowboys Could Soon Become Available
There are a few major roster-related questions the Dallas Cowboys will hope to solve in training camp later this summer. Chief among them is figuring out if this running back group is good enough to compete with the declining Ezekiel Elliott currently slated as RB1.
It's very likely the Cowboys need to make an addition to improve the backfield's ceiling, but there's not many clear upgrades available this late in free agency.
Preseason cuts, luckily, provide the chance to nab up some underrated talent, and it turns out there's already one running back Dallas should be keeping tabs on.
The Athletic continues to suggest that Khalil Herbert isn't a lock for final roster.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) June 18, 2024
If I'm the #Chargers or #Cowboys, I'd at least pick up the phone and call.
Herbert was PFF's No. 16 RB among 63 qualifiers in 2023. And No. 33 in 2022. pic.twitter.com/dbDHsgZ96r
Bears beat writer Adamn Jahns believes current Chicago RB Khalil Herbert could be one of the surprise veterans who loses their roster spot in training camp. Jahns notes the signing of D'Andre Swift, plus the expectation 2023 rookie Roschon Johnson progresses in his sophomore campaign, are two factors putting Herbert in "bubble" territory.
This observation is a bit of a surprise considering Herbert's emergence in the Bears' backfield. The speedstear broke out during the 2022 season, using his electric playmaking to record career highs in rushing yards (731) and TDs (4) while averaging a whopping 5.7 yards per carry. His numbers declined a bit in 2023 after posting 611/2/4.6 in those sane categories, but it was still a respectable performance.
It's possible Herbert's injury troubles over the past two years (13 and 12 games played, respectively) have soured his perception in Chicago, but if the Bears really do decided to move on, the Cowboys should be all over it.
Herbert has the kind of big-play ability many of Dallas' current rushers lack, as Zeke, Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman are all more bruising runners. Deuce Vaughn is one guy who has the tools to fill the Tony Pollard role, but his disastrous rookie year doesn't instill a ton of confidence in his abilities heading into 2024.
The Cowboys need to have a semblance of their rushing game being a threat in order to prevent opposing defenses from ignoring the run and selling out to stop the passing game. That makes Herbert someone they should covet.
It'd be wise to even explore a trade -- considering the cheap going rate for running backs these days -- over the next few weeks in case the Bears are happy to take a late-round pick in exchange for a player who's fallen out of favor with the team.
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