The Dallas Cowboys learned this morning that they lost veteran RB Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans. While he will certainly be missed, the Cowboys can ease the sting by signing a key free agent. Ironically, it could end up being an unofficial swap. Read below to find out who the right fit for the Cowboys is.
Dallas Cowboys Eyeing Derrick Henry
The Cowboys are one of the favorites to land RB Derrick Henry via free agency. At the time of writing, their odds of landing him are +220. Only the Baltimore Ravens have higher odds (+130) to secure his services.
Now that Pollard is signing with the Titans, it creates a big gap available for Henry to fill. Dallas is certainly going to be in the market for a running back no matter which direction they go. It would only be fitting for them to try to secure arguably the best running back in the league.
Derrick Henry’s Career Stats
Henry has been in the NFL for eight years. He has certainly made a name for himself in that stretch. At the age of 29, Henry had a strong 2023 season heading into free agency. Henry had 1,167 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
How has he done throughout his career? Henry has 9,502 rushing yards and 90 rushing touchdowns. Now, he looks to continue those numbers heading into his 30s.
Will the Dallas Cowboys Pay?
It is certainly fair to question whether the Cowboys will pay a significant amount of money for Henry’s services. A troubling sign may be that they were willing to let their own running back walk. Pollard only received $8 million per year for three years from the Titans.
Henry will likely be offered more money than that. If Saquon Barkley’s projection and Christian McCaffrey’s current contract are any indication, expect this number to exceed $12 million. This presents a potential cap problem for the Cowboys.
Dak Prescott Taking Up Cap Space?
The Cowboys need to make a decision as to what they will do with QB Dak Prescott. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024 season. However, if the Cowboys decide to extend Prescott, his salary could exceed $60 million per year. That could make it more difficult for Dallas to make a reasonable offer for Henry. We will have to keep an eye on this situation.
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