Dallas Cowboys Urged To Sign Former 1,000-Yard Rusher

As we head toward the 2024 training camp, a few tasks remain for the Dallas Cowboys on their to-do list. The contract extensions of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb are the most pressing.

Another item is addressing their running back issues. The team lost Tony Pollard in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, leaving a massive void on the depth chart.

To fill that void, the team brought back Ezekiel Elliott after one season away with the New England Patriots. Elliott knows the system, but it is fair to question how much he has in the tank; the Dallas Cowboys let him leave in 2023 for a reason.

If he makes the 53-man roster, Elliott is going to see a good amount of playing time. He is by far the most established player at the position and knows what is expected of him after playing the first seven seasons of his career with them.

Given some of the question marks at running back, the Dallas Cowboys could look to dip into free agency for some more help. One potential target is veteran Leonard Fournette.

Fournette is working out and motivated to continue his career in the NFL. After being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March of 2023, he signed with the Buffalo Bills during the season.

A majority of his time was spent on the practice squad, as he was elevated for only two games. In those games, he carried the ball 12 times for 40 yards.

Still, the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft could be exactly what the Dallas Cowboys are looking for. They were suggested as a potential landing spot for Fournette by Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports.

“Dallas’ backfield could use some depth in the aftermath of losing Tony Pollard in free agency earlier this offseason. The club did bring back Ezekiel Elliott to give themselves a familiar option, but Zeke shouldn’t be looked at as the same player he was during the bulk of his first stint with the organization. 

"Beyond Elliott, the Cowboys have Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and Nathaniel Peat on the running back depth chart. Not exactly a Murderer’s Row. 

While Fournette isn’t the same player he once was, he’d provide them a cheap option that raises the backfield’s floor,” Sullivan wrote.

Fournette’s days of being a 1,000-yard back are likely behind him. At the very least, he would provide the Dallas Cowboys with a reliable player on third downs who can catch passes and help in pass protection.