Heading into the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys will not have a starting running back. Tony Pollard is a free agent and even backup Rico Dowdle is hitting the open market. Running the ball was not exactly the strength of Mike McCarthy’s offense but replacements are needed.
Former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has an idea, suggesting Dallas dips its toe into the NFC East waters. He suggests going after either Giants RB Saquon Barkley or Eagles RB D’Andre Swift in free agency. Bringing back Pollard could be an option as well.
If the Cowboys can find a stable running back for 2024, Rivera believes quarterback Dak Prescott can play even better.
“I think they need to go out and sign a running back,” Rivera said via ESPN’s NFL Live. “I really do believe that if they get better with that running game, that’s really going to help their passing game — which is also very good right now.
“So, it can be even better, I believe. I’d go out and sign Barkley or I’d go out and sign D’Andre Swift. Even bring Pollard back. But you’ve got an opportunity to help your football team by being better in your running game. It was most certainly make your passing game even better.”
Dallas was middle of the road with most of their rushing statistics. Finishing with 4.1 yards per carry was good enough for 20th in the NFL. Not something they expected out of Pollard after having a successful 2023 season alongside Ezekiel Elliott.
Barkley fell below that number though, averaging 3.9 YPC. Swift had a better season there, going for 4.6 yards every carry and breaking 1,000 yards.
Rivera is right about Dallas having an opportunity to improve its offense. Prescott had a career season undercenter and wound up finishing second in MVP voting. His play was not the issue, at least in the regular season, as the Cowboys won another NFC East title.
Finding a way to scare defenses with the run game would open up a whole lot more, though. Rivera has made his suggestions at running back but some kind of improvement will be needed along the offensive line as well.
Folks in New York nor Philadelphia would enjoy seeing their former players having a star on the helmet. But if Dallas decides to sign one of them, some interesting crossover will occur inside of the division.
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