The Dallas Cowboys moved to 2-2 after hanging on for a Week 4 victory over the New York Giants on “Thursday Night Football.” Mike McCarthy’s squad needed the win after losing back-to-back games to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, but there’s still more work to be done in Dallas.
What should the Cowboys do to bolster their roster over the coming weeks? Here are three suggestions for Dallas as it gets ready to face a gauntlet of a schedule — at Pittsburgh Steelers, vs. Detroit Lions, at San Francisco 49ers — over the next three games.
3 Moves the 2-2 Cowboys Should Consider
Look for Another Running Back
Enough is enough. After losing Tony Pollard to free agency, the Cowboys did the bare minimum at running back, reuniting with Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal and pairing him with holdover Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle took the lead in Dallas’ backfield in Week 4, taking 11 carries for 46 yards while hauling in a 15-yard touchdown on a screen pass. But neither RB has been very productive through four weeks.
Among 51 qualifying running backs in 2024, Dowdle and Elliott rank 46th and 48th in yards after contact per attempt, respectively, suggesting they aren’t creating much yardage beyond what’s blocked. The Cowboys’ offensive line ranks ninth in run-block win rate, but Dallas’ backfield is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry (28th in the NFL) and ranks 21st in rushing success rate (43%).
The Cowboys probably won’t find many suitable alternatives on the open market, where the best free agent RBs are Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. However, Jerry Jones is always willing to trade. He acquired WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore in 2023, then picked up DT Jordan Phillips and CB Andrew Booth Jr. this summer.
Who could be available? The Bears might be willing to move pending free agent Khalil Herbert, who finished ninth in attempts per broken tackle and 10th in yards after contract per rush in 2023 but has been relegated to short-yardage duty.
Chuba Hubbard (902 rushing yards and five TDs last season) is the Panthers’ RB1 for now, but second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks is nearing a return from the non-football injury list. Maybe Sean Payton would be open to trading Javonte Williams if the Broncos lose more games. Even Travis Etienne Jr. could theoretically hit the trade block if the 0-3 Jaguars decide to blow things up.
Bolster the Defensive Line
After getting gashed for 464 rushing yards in Weeks 2 and 3, the Cowboys finally stopped the run on Thursday night.
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith, Dallas’ first-round pick in 2023, consistently clogged up running lanes while the Cowboys held the Giants to a 21.7% success rate on the ground. For reference, New York was as bad at running the ball in Week 4 as the Raiders — who boast the NFL’s worst rushing attack — have been all season.
Still, even if you think Dallas has fixed its run-defense issues, the Cowboys need another body up front after watching two key starters suffer injuries in Week 4.
All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons went down on Thursday night and is battling a high-ankle sprain. Fellow defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a foot injury against the Giants. McCarthy alarmingly said both injuries “are worse than (Dallas) anticipated).”
Going after a pass rusher like Haason Reddick — who’s still holding out from the Jets as he awaits a revised contract — could make sense, although it’s unclear if New York is open to trading the veteran EDGE.
Denver edge defenders Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper and defensive tackle D.J. Jones are pending free agents and might be on the block as the season progresses. Jacksonville has multiple DTs — Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton — who could become available. The Dolphins’ Emmanuel Ogbah and the Chargers’ Morgan Fox might also intrigue the Cowboys.
Explore Cornerback Options
With All-Pro CB DaRon Bland (stress fracture in left foot) on short-term IR, the Cowboys are relying on fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson and veteran Jourdan Lewis opposite Trevon Diggs.
A shoulder injury prevented Carson from suiting up on Thursday night. When Diggs left for a mid-game IV, Dallas’ lack of cornerback depth was truly exposed, as the Cowboys had to ask Booth and practice-squad elevation Amani Oruwariye to step in.
Diggs is fine, Carson might be able to play in Week 5, and Bland should return in the near future. This isn’t necessarily a dire situation, but adding an experienced veteran corner might be a solid move, especially because there are still options on the free agent market.
Xavien Howard, Patrick Peterson, Marcus Peters, Jerry Jacobs, and Eli Apple are the top five available cornerbacks heading into October. Any one of them could make sense as a depth piece for Mike Zimmer’s defense.