What are Cowboys thinking? Grading notable RB deals

NFL free agency has arrived, with teams taking advantage of the legal tampering period before the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Deals abound, so let's grade the notable running back agreements so far.

Najee Harris | Los Angeles Chargers

Deal: One year worth up to $9.25M, per ESPN's Adam Schefter | Grade: A

A big, powerful RB like Harris (6-foot-1, 242 pounds) should suit Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh's scheme.

In 17 regular-season games in 2024 with the Steelers, Harris rushed for 1,043 yards, the 14th most in the league. In four seasons with Pittsburgh, the 27-year-old ran for 1,000 yards or more each season. 

Harris could produce even better numbers behind L.A.'s stellar offensive line, which features left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt. Slater has made two Pro Bowls in four seasons with the Chargers. Alt finished eighth in 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

After reaching an agreement with Harris, the Chargers may not re-sign RB J.K. Dobbins, who had a career-high 905 rushing yards in 13 games in 2024. Still, it seems L.A. has upgraded the position.

Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys 

Deal: One year, $3M, per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero | Grade: D

This is a puzzling move for the Cowboys.

During his rookie season with the Denver Broncos in 2021, Williams had 1,219 yards (903 rushing and 316 receiving) and seven touchdowns (four rushing and three receiving) in 17 games. Since suffering a torn ACL/LCL in October 2022, he has declined.

Over his past two seasons with Denver, the former North Carolina star has averaged 3.6 yards per carry, well below the league average. 

According to David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, Williams will replace free-agent RB Rico Dowdle. Letting Dowdle walk could be a mistake for Dallas. In 16 games in 2024, he tied for the league's 12th-most rushing yards (1,079).  

Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings 

Deal: Two years, $20M ($13M guaranteed), per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport | Grade: B

Paying a 30-year-old in Jones carries risk for the Vikings, as RBs tend to wear down as they age. 

Jones, however, is consistent. In eight seasons with the Vikings and Green Bay Packers, he has rushed for 1,000 yards or more four times and made one Pro Bowl. In 17 games in 2024, he rushed for the league's ninth-most yards (1,138). 

If Jones continues to play at a high level in 2025, he should take pressure off Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

McCarthy — pick No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft — will probably be Minnesota's QB1 next season after Sam Darnold agreed to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy didn't play his rookie season because of a meniscus tear.

Jordan Mason | San Francisco 49ers 

Deal: Second-rounder tender, per The Athletic's Matt Barrows | Grade: A

Mason could still reach an agreement with another team. According to Barrows, the 49ers would receive a second-round pick from the team that signs Mason. The 49ers will owe him $5.35M in 2025 if he stays in San Francisco. 

Last season, Mason filled in for 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, who missed 13 games because of Achilles and knee issues. In 12 games, the former Georgia Tech standout ran for 789 yards and three touchdowns on 153 carries. 

The 49ers could count on a dependable option in Mason if McCaffrey struggles to stay healthy in 2025. 

Mason could also become a trade piece for the Niners. RB-needy teams, such as the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, may be interested in the 25-year-old.