The Dallas Cowboys had an underwhelming season and were among the worst offensive teams in football. They ranked 23rd in PFSN’s Offense+ metric with a grade of 68.2 (D+). Their season was further plagued by quarterback Dak Prescott’s lack of production, having arguably the worst season of his career.
However, the Cowboys hope 2024 is a blip on Prescott’s career radar. They will likely stick with him as his record four-year, $240 million contract comes into effect. The front office should be looking to upgrade the talent around him, and one NFL analyst predicts they will sign a lead tailback from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cowboys To Acquire Travis Etienne Jr. As Lead RB for Dak Prescott
The Cowboys ranked 28th in passing success rate and 29th in EPA per dropback in 2024. Even just isolating the stretch when Prescott was starting, the results weren’t too different. Dallas ranked 27th in passing success rate and 22nd in EPA per dropback before Prescott’s season-ending injury in Week 9.
Contrary to the quarterback position, the Cowboys haven’t had much stability in the backfield. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicts they will sign Travis Etienne Jr., who would make an instant impact on their short passing game.
“Last offseason, Dallas failed to adequately address its backfield. Instead, it brought back Ezekiel Elliott, who already had 2,065 carries worth of tread on his legs. The coaching staff also waited until late November to feature Rico Dowdle as the lead tailback.
“A year later, the Cowboys can right that wrong by getting back to a run-heavy or balanced attack with a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.
“This past season, Etienne and Tank Bigsby had a near split in touches (189 to 175). With Etienne entering a contract year, the Jaguars may be willing to trade him and move forward with Bigsby as their lead ball-carrier. Etienne’s contract carries a $6.1 million cap hit. The Cowboys shouldn’t have to pay a high premium for the final year of his contract, and he’s still in his prime at 25 years old.
“While many draft analysts will link Dallas to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 pick, the Cowboys can acquire a proven playmaker to bolster their ground attack and short passing game.”
It’s worth noting that the Cowboys are projected to strengthen their defense in PFSN’s latest mock draft, which has them taking Michigan cornerback Will Johnson in Round 1.
“Cowboys have needs all over the field, but adding a second high-caliber cornerback in Will Johnson opposite Trevon Diggs would give them one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL. When you then add in the opportunistic DaRon Bland, you have a fantastic trio who can dominate opposing passing games and help turn around a 25th-ranked defense from last season.”
Etienne made 39 receptions for 254 yards and rushed for two touchdowns and 558 yards last season. While the Cowboys’ Dowdle did better, making 39 receptions for 249 yards and rushing for two touchdowns and 1,079 yards, Etienne’s addition to the squad will significantly boost Dallas’ backfield.
The Cowboys would hope Etienne can prevent the disaster season some envision. In their bold predictions for 2025, PFSN staff anticipates that “The Cowboys will lose 12 games in 2025, positioning them to draft Texas QB Arch Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft.”
Under new coach Brian Schottenheimer, Prescott and Co. will look to prevent that kind of calamity and instead make their way back to the playoffs.