4 Running Back Free Agents the Dallas Cowboys Could Target This Offseason

As the NFL offseason approaches, the Dallas Cowboys will be focusing on strengthening their roster to contend for a Super Bowl in 2025. One key area where they might look to improve is the running back position. With Tony Pollard coming off a strong 2023 season and backup running back Malik Davis still developing, the Cowboys could benefit from adding a veteran presence or a complementary back to enhance their offensive attack.

The Cowboys have a history of finding running back success, dating back to the days of Emmitt Smith and, more recently, Ezekiel Elliott, who was released by the team after the 2022 season. While Pollard is expected to be the lead back, it’s clear that Dallas needs depth at the position to avoid overloading Pollard and to have an effective rushing attack that can balance out the pass-heavy offense.

Let’s examine four potential free-agent running backs the Cowboys could target this offseason.

1. Kareem Hunt

Current Team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 28
Career Stats (as of 2024): 5,826 rushing yards, 46 TDs, 2,047 receiving yards, 17 TDs

Kareem Hunt brings an impressive resume to the table, with 5,826 career rushing yards and 46 touchdowns to go along with 2,047 receiving yards. A former Pro Bowl player and a key contributor to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in 2019, Hunt spent the past several seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Despite having his fair share of off-field controversies earlier in his career, Hunt has redeemed himself and has proven to be a highly productive back when given the opportunity.

The Cowboys could target Hunt for several reasons. First, Hunt is an excellent receiving back who could complement Pollard’s skills as a dynamic runner. Pollard is primarily known for his speed and playmaking ability, while Hunt offers a more physical running style and has been a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. His ability to serve as a dual-threat back would provide flexibility to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s playbook.

In addition, Hunt has familiarity with playing in a timeshare. Over the past few years, the Browns have used Hunt in a rotational role with Nick Chubb. This could be appealing to the Cowboys as Pollard will likely remain the featured back, with Hunt providing quality depth. Hunt has also shown the ability to handle goal-line duties and has a knack for making defenders miss in tight spaces.

Furthermore, Hunt’s contract could be reasonable for the Cowboys, especially if he is seeking a one-year “prove-it” deal to showcase that he still has plenty left in the tank. Adding him would give the Cowboys a stable veteran presence behind Pollard, which could be particularly important as the team aims to contend for a championship.

2. David Montgomery

Current Team: Detroit Lions
Age: 26
Career Stats (as of 2024): 4,298 rushing yards, 30 TDs, 1,124 receiving yards, 4 TDs

David Montgomery, who has spent the first four years of his career with the Chicago Bears and most recently with the Detroit Lions, is a versatile, hard-nosed running back that could be a valuable addition to the Cowboys’ roster. Montgomery is known for his toughness between the tackles and his ability to gain extra yards after contact, which would complement Tony Pollard’s more explosive, perimeter-oriented style.

Montgomery is also a capable receiver out of the backfield, though he is not as dynamic as Pollard or Hunt in that regard. However, his physicality and ability to wear down defenses would make him an ideal second-option for the Cowboys’ rushing attack. His ability to work on short-yardage and goal-line situations would add an important dimension to the offense and take some of the workload off Pollard, who has not been used extensively in short-yardage situations in his career.

Furthermore, Montgomery has experience in both zone and power running schemes, making him adaptable to the Cowboys’ offensive system. His experience playing in a committee approach in Detroit with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs could be something the Cowboys appreciate, as they may look to use a similar approach to keep Pollard fresh.

Montgomery will likely be one of the more sought-after running backs in free agency, but if the Cowboys can secure him on a multi-year deal, they would have a solid complement to Pollard that could contribute right away. His physicality and ability to gain yards after contact would make him an ideal candidate for the Cowboys’ offense as they look to balance their ground game and pass attack.

3. Miles Sanders

Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 27
Career Stats (as of 2024): 4,324 rushing yards, 22 TDs, 783 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Miles Sanders is another free-agent running back that could be an intriguing target for the Dallas Cowboys. After a breakout season in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders joined the Carolina Panthers in 2023 but hasn’t reached the same level of success. However, Sanders is still a highly skilled back with great vision and burst, capable of being both a feature runner and a complimentary player.

What stands out about Sanders is his ability to consistently gain yards when given the opportunity. He’s a player that can hit the hole quickly and has enough speed to break off long runs. While he may not be as dynamic a receiving back as Hunt or Pollard, Sanders is a competent pass catcher out of the backfield and could handle some of the receiving duties when needed.

The Cowboys could benefit from Sanders’ ability to give Pollard a breather and take on some of the early-down work in tandem with Pollard. Unlike the other backs mentioned here, Sanders could be brought in to potentially compete for the starting job if Pollard is unable to return to his 2023 form after his recovery from an ankle injury. He also brings a balanced skill set and would give the Cowboys a more traditional 1-2 punch in the backfield, with Sanders focusing more on early-down runs and Pollard being used in more dynamic, explosive situations.

If Sanders hits the market at the right price, he could be a smart, relatively affordable option for the Cowboys. His combination of speed, vision, and ability to handle a full workload make him a potential difference-maker who could elevate the offense.

4. Jerick McKinnon

Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 32
Career Stats (as of 2024): 2,740 rushing yards, 15 TDs, 2,356 receiving yards, 15 TDs

Jerick McKinnon is an experienced and versatile running back who has spent the past several seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. While McKinnon is now on the older side at 32 years old, he has remained an effective player for the Chiefs, particularly in the passing game. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield and can create mismatches with his quickness and route-running ability. McKinnon was crucial to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run in 2022, providing a reliable third-down back and explosive plays on checkdowns.

For the Cowboys, McKinnon could be the perfect complementary piece to Pollard. While Pollard can handle the majority of the early-down work, McKinnon could come in on third downs and obvious passing situations, where his receiving ability and pass protection skills would be utilized. His experience and familiarity with winning in the postseason would also add an important leadership presence to the Cowboys’ locker room.

Though McKinnon’s best years may be behind him, his ability to be a weapon as a change-of-pace back in a high-powered offense would make him a low-cost, high-reward option for Dallas. His veteran savvy and pass-catching prowess would also allow the Cowboys to keep Pollard fresh and avoid overloading him in a one-dimensional offense.

Additionally, McKinnon’s role in Kansas City as a backup to starter Isiah Pacheco shows that he is content with being part of a committee, making him a realistic option for the Cowboys’ roster.