Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFC East team a landing spot for Derrick Henry?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/29/24

The Dallas Cowboys ground attack disappointed in 2023, finishing 14th in the league in rushing yards (112.9). Adding a former first-team All-Pro could rejuvenate the run game.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Tennessee Titans will let running back Derrick Henry enter free agency instead of franchise tagging him. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin named the Cowboys as a potential landing spot.

"The Cowboys are well-positioned to pivot away from the expensive big-name back after a so-so year of Tony Pollard running the show, but will they be able to resist?" Benjamin wrote. "Henry's no-nonsense toughness is something they could be desperate to infuse after an ugly ending to the 2023 season."

Pollard, 26, is a free agent as well. He fell short of expectations in his first season as the Cowboys RB1, averaging a career-low four yards per carry. In a 48-32 wild-card round loss against the Green Bay Packers, he ran for 56 yards on 15 rushing attempts.

Even though Henry is 30 and has the second-most rushing attempts (2,030) among active RBs, he might be an upgrade. In 17 games last season, he ran for the second-most rushing yards (1,167) in the league and tied for seventh in rushing TDs (12).

Most missed tackles forced on runs over the last two seasons:

Derrick Henry - 126

Where is the best landing spot for the RB? pic.twitter.com/bpYuLNfjGO
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) February 24, 2024

During a recent appearance on the "Bussin with the Boys" podcast, Henry said he wants to go to a team that gives him a chance to win his first Super Bowl. Dallas has won 12 or more regular-season games for three straight seasons and might be one player away from winning their first title in 29 years.

Dallas lacks cap space, however. Spotrac estimates the Cowboys are $4.03M over the cap. They have yet to extend wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott — both entering the final year of their contracts.

Owner Jerry Jones claims the team plans to go "all-in" this offseason. Perhaps the Cowboys will find a way to land a big star like Henry despite the salary-cap challenges.

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