The Dallas Cowboys faced numerous challenges heading into last offseason, with the running back position being one of their most glaring issues. Tony Pollard, their star RB, was set to hit free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft offered plenty of talented options to bolster the backfield. Yet, the Cowboys made a series of questionable decisions that left the position in turmoil.
When free agency opened, Dallas allowed Pollard to sign with the Tennessee Titans. They bypassed running backs entirely in the draft and instead signed undrafted rookie Nathaniel Peat and brought in veteran Royce Freeman for competition. Ezekiel Elliott returned for a second stint with the team, while Dalvin Cook joined the practice squad in August. By the start of the season, however, both Peat and Freeman were gone, leaving the Cowboys with a patchwork backfield of Elliott, Cook, and unproven players like Deuce Vaughn and injury-prone Rico Dowdle.
This chaotic situation was entirely avoidable. Despite lacking a fourth-round pick, Dallas overlooked strong running back prospects in earlier rounds, failing to properly assess the importance of the position. Instead, they shifted more responsibility onto quarterback Dak Prescott and the passing game.
The season kicked off with Elliott as the starter, but his production quickly faltered, averaging less than three yards per carry in most games. Meanwhile, Dowdle showed flashes of promise, including an 87-yard game against Pittsburgh. Despite this, the Cowboys often underutilized him, frustrating fans and raising questions about their offensive strategy.
Eventually, the team made Dowdle their lead back in November, and he delivered, posting four 100-yard games in five weeks and surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season. However, Dowdle’s breakout performance could lead to his departure in free agency, as Dallas is known for its frugality.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys can’t afford to ignore the running back position in the 2025 NFL Draft. With limited free agency activity and several roster holes to fill, Dallas must prioritize securing young, quality talent in the backfield.
Inconsistent planning and a lack of commitment to the run game have made roster-building unnecessarily difficult for the Cowboys. Addressing this weakness is critical if they hope to avoid another season of backfield instability.
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