Leonard Fournette headlines three backup RB fits for Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys left no question marks about who their starting running back will be in 2023, opting to give former fourth-round pick Tony Pollard the franchise tag this offseason. 

The team also parted ways with long-time starter Ezekiel Elliott, who remains a free agent currently.

With the season rapidly approaching, the big question in Dallas is whether the second-year running back out of Florida, Malik Davis, is ready to step into the "thunder" role alongside Pollard's "lightning." 

If not, the Cowboys could look to free agency for a few key names to step in and immediately fill the void.

Leonard Fournette

Following a 2021 season in which Fournette posted a career-best 4.5 yards per carry, he looked primed to fuel the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield. But the emergence of then-rookie Rachaad White, paired with Fournette's own struggles, altered the landscape a bit. Fournette finished the year with just 668 rushing yards and three touchdowns, a far cry from the eight scores he had on the ground the year prior.

As for Fournette's outlook in free agency and potentially with the Cowboys, he'd appear to be an ideal fit if he can return to his 2021 form. The Cowboys need a bruising back, and Fournette (listed at 228 pounds on NFL.com), has shown plenty of power over the years and his ability to catch passes would still hold opposing defenses accountable.

has shown plenty of power over the years, and his ability to catch passes would still hold opposing defenses accountable.

Kareem Hunt

The current career trajectory of Hunt is eerily on par with Fournette, to the point that the statistical fall-off highlights the same key topics. Hunt tied a career-high in 2021 with the Cleveland Browns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, a number which fell to 3.8 last season. Although he played in just eight games in 2021, he managed to score more touchdowns on the ground (five) than he did in all of 2022 (three).

Hunt's upside as both a runner and pass-catcher remains obvious, and looking back at his production in 2020 showcases a more realistic outlook for his skillset. If Hunt could provide anywhere close to the 841 rushing and 304 receiving yards, along with 11 total touchdowns (six rushing), he'd be an elite No. 2 running back behind Pollard.

Ezekiel Elliott

Lastly, but certainly not least in the hearts of Cowboys fans, is none other than Elliott himself. It's easy to forget that the team's former No. 4 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft is only 27 years old. It's also apparent that Elliott has lost a step after racking up 1,881 carries and 305 receptions in seven seasons with the Cowboys.

But for Dallas, if they want a player who can come in and find the end zone, give Pollard a breather and will likely have very little issue picking up the new Mike McCarthy-led offense, the argument in favor of Elliott is a strong one.

Looking back at last season, Elliott posted a career-low with 3.8 yards per carry but tied his second-best season for rushing touchdowns with 12. Pollard and Elliott have both publicly supported each other previously, so if the team opted to run it back in 2023, it'd be hard to argue against that decision. It may very well be the best option for the Cowboys currently.