Despite offseason pessimism, the Dallas Cowboys are still expected to be a very competitive team this season. With talent all over the roster, including a top-tier quarterback, dynamic wide receiver, and game-wrecking pass rusher, it’s clear that Dallas has enough talent to compete in the NFC.
One true area of weakness, however, is the running back room. With a group that is arguably the worst in the NFL, the Cowboys could look around the league to add another piece.
6 Potential Trade Candidates at Running Back for the Cowboys
Samaje Perine
After just one season in Denver, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Broncos are expected to move on from Samaje Perine. This opens the door for the Cowboys to potentially swing a trade before he is released and free to sign with any team.
The Broncos have a crowded running back room with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime ahead of Perine. Despite falling out of favor in Denver, Perine makes sense as a running back target for the Cowboys.
Last season, Perine showed off his pass-catching ability, recording a career-high in receptions (50) and receiving yards (455). Prior to signing with the Broncos in 2023, Perine was one of the best backup running backs in the league behind Joe Mixon in Cincinnati.
Israel Abanikanda
The New York Jets have seemingly taken the opposite approach than the Cowboys and used this offseason to collect multiple quality running backs. With a group headlined by Breece Hall, followed by rookie Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, the Jets can afford to ship off Israel Abanikanda if they so choose.
If New York is interested in doing so, Dallas should be eager to discuss, as Abanikanda would almost instantly be the best running back on the roster. The second-year RB had a stellar preseason, finishing with 21 carries, 129 rushing yards (6.1 yards per carry), and two touchdowns.
Izzy Abanikanda!
The @nyjets RB goes 45 yards for the TD ✈️ pic.twitter.com/dt20iFd1XO
— NFL (@NFL)
In most cases, a player of this caliber, on a rookie deal like this, wouldn’t ever see the light of day on the trade wire. However, the Jets have an embarrassment of riches at the spot and could potentially fetch a fourth-round pick or better for a player they used a fifth-round selection to draft just last season.
Kendre Miller
If you’ve been paying attention to the ongoing situation in New Orleans, it’s clear that Kendre Miller has seemingly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. With questions regarding Miller’s ability to stay on the field and grasp the playbook, this could be a chance for Dallas to trade a late-round pick for a flyer on a fresh start.
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Behind starter Alvin Kamara and veteran Jamaal Williams, Miller’s opportunities appear limited in 2024. And if the situation is as unfavorable as it appears to be, a new beginning for both could do wonders.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Much like the Jets, the Miami Dolphins have several quality running backs on their roster. While Miami is currently building its own glorified track team to haunt defenses with every week, Jeff Wilson Jr. has become a bit of a forgotten man.
With Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, and rookie Jaylen Wright, Wilson will find himself inactive on most Sundays. However, for the Cowboys, he would have the chance to be the second or third guy pretty consistently each week.
Wilson has over 2,000 rushing yards in his career as well as 23 total touchdowns, setting him up to be one of the more proven backs in an otherwise inexperienced Dallas backfield.
Khalil Herbert
With a combination of newly signed D’Andre Swift, former Texas Longhorn Roschon Johnson, and intriguing wide receiver/running back hybrid that is Velus Jones Jr., the Bears’ Khalil Herbert may be an asset the team is comfortable parting with.
Herbert is entering his fourth NFL season and finds himself in an interesting backfield filled with established veterans and young players who are eager to make their mark. If he were in Dallas, it would be a situation where he could walk in and be RB1 on Day 1.
Herbert’s also in the last year of his deal, and the Bears may be able to get a more favorable draft pick in a trade rather than waiting and hoping for a compensation pick to hit.
Dameon Pierce
Compared to other teams previously mentioned, the Houston Texans’ RB room isn’t relatively deep. However, that doesn’t mean Dameon Pierce couldn’t be had by trade and wouldn’t still be an excellent fit for the team just a few hours away in Dallas.
Joe Mixon was brought into Houston and looks to be the No. 1 guy. And while he and Pierce would be a great one-two punch, one could wonder if Pierce would rather be the guy in a backfield.
Dallas is taking a by-committee approach, as stated earlier. However, adding a player like Pierce to their room would undoubtedly change that.
Pierce is entering his third NFL season and had a down year in 2023. That season being a downward trend shouldn’t scare the Cowboys if they want him, and it may help them in trade compensation if the Texans were to actually move Pierce.
He’s a productive running back who may also benefit from a change of scenery. And with Dallas searching for any hopes of a running game, it could be a perfect match.