Former NFL GM: Cowboys must use franchise tag on Tony Pollard

Before the Cowboys do anything this offseason, they should franchise tag Tony Pollard because his offensive impact is priceless — just ask former NFL GM Michael Lombardi.

"Hell yeah. You gotta do it," he told KRLD-FM in Dallas recently regarding using the tag on Pollard. "You can't let him walk away. That guy tilts the field."

Pollard broke out this season, leading the Cowboys in rushing yards (1,007). He averaged 5.2 yards per carry, seventh in the NFL, and made his first Pro Bowl.

There might be some trepidation since Spotrac estimates that Dallas is $7.6M over the cap, 20th in the league.

Also, signing RBs to lavish contract extensions can backfire since their production may decrease in their late-20s — something the Cowboys are all too familiar with. Ezekiel Elliott, 27, averaged a career-low in yards per carry (3.8) this past season and has four years remaining on his contract with $52M left, per Over the Cap. 

However, the Cowboys don't have to sign Pollard, 25, to a long-term deal with his rookie contract is expiring. Dallas can use the franchise tag on Pollard for the first time, a one-year deal worth $10.1M. 

The extension doesn't save Dallas money but helps it retain offensive punch. 

Dallas struggled to make big plays when Pollard wasn't on the field, evident in its divisional-round loss to the 49ers. Pollard suffered a broken fibula, exiting with 1:24 left in the second quarter. Afterward, the Dallas offense wilted, scoring no offensive TDs for the rest of the game.

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Pollard underwent surgery and will return well before training camp, minimizing injury concerns.

Dallas should tag Pollard because he could be a key asset for a potential Super Bowl contender.