It is hard to believe the 2023 season is already over, yet here we are.
With that said, I am already thinking about ways we can watch the Cowboys play deeper into the playoffs next season.
It is now draft season, and the Dallas Cowboys have some big decisions to make over the next few months, including what to do in free agency.
We all know Dak Prescott is going to get a contract extension, like it or not, so this team should follow the trend of the last 15 years at a different position.
That trend comes via the running back position, since 2009, having a cheap running back as your starter has paid off every single year.
Let’s Take a Look
Since 2009, only four starting running backs on the winning team were above 1% of the team’s cap space, look at the graphic below.
Leonard Fourenette in 2020, Sony Michel in 2018, Marshawn Lynch in 2014, and Ray Rice in 2012.
If the 49ers won the Super Bowl this season, obviously Christian McCaffery would have been the highest in the last 15 years, but they didn’t.
The Chiefs won back-to-back with Isiah Pacheco as their lead back, with Patrick Mahomes, but the truth still stands.
You don’t pay running backs big money anymore.
The total amount of cash paid to these RBs during their Super Bowl-winning season was $10.5M.
Cowboys Options
Depending on the market for Tony Pollard, the Cowboys should let him walk and look to go cheaper at the position.
Ezekiel Elliott has a cap charge of $6.04M for the 2024 season for the Cowboys, so Dallas has no choice but to move off Pollard and look for something easier to manage.
Trey Benson out of Florida State is who would be my first choice.
He is a 6-foot-1, 225 back but moves like he is 190 pounds. From some of the tapes I have watched on him, he has great quickness for a power back.
His receiving ability is above average, but they don’t need him to be CMC, Dallas can use what they have still under contract or find a cheaper guy like Marlon Mack or someone similar.
Not The Biggest Need
Running back is far from the Cowboy’s biggest need in the draft or through free agency, but over the last 15 years it shows paying next to nothing for an average back brings you titles.
The Cowboy’s biggest need for Dallas should be the offensive line, linebacker, and defensive line.
Tyron Smith is not getting any younger, and who knows if he will return to Dallas. The Cowboys can’t stop the run, and Mazi Smith has been a bust, while the Cowboys linebackers are WAY undersized.
Leighton Vander Esch is likely to retire due to his neck injury, so things do not look good there.
If the Cowboys want to be contenders next season, I would go cheap at running back. Get a guy in the draft like Benson, or someone that might be less money than Pollard.
If they can pass block it is a bonus, Pollard really struggled in the pass game this season.
The next few months is going to be interesting.
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