Despite the return of Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys‘ running back room has been largely ignored throughout the 2024 NFL offseason.
After the team missed out on some of the better available running backs in free agency and bypassed the position in the draft, Dallas is without an every-down back for the first time in a while. Even one lingering rumor tying the Cowboys to one of the better power backs in the game appears to be false.
NFL Insider Refutes Najee Harris to Dallas Trade Rumor
Since being the 24th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, Najee Harris’ career has been somewhat of a disappointment in the black and gold. Sure, he has recorded over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first three seasons, but Harris’ lack of explosiveness and inefficient 3.9 yards per carry made him overshadowed in an offense struggling to put up points in the last few years.
It all came to a head last week when the Steelers opted to decline Harris’ fifth-year option and allow him to hit free agency following the 2024 season. With a potential depreciating asset in Harris, Pittsburgh has been rumored to be shopping the Alabama product with the Cowboys tied above all else to him.
At least, that’s what everyone originally thought.
In a tweet sent Monday afternoon, NFL Network’s Cowboys beat reporter, Jane Slater, made it clear that any reported talk between the former rivals of the ’70s was simply “click bait.”
On these Najee Harris and Cowboys reports, team source tells me “click bait” 🤷🏼♀️
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 6, 2024
Slater has always had ties to the team facility, so it’s hard to question her reporting on Harris’ value to the Cowboys.
The former first-round pick carries a $4 million cap hit. That’s not among the more expensive at the position, but it’s certainly more than Dallas has been willing to pay this offseason.
Cowboys’ Running Back Depth Chart
As of now, it’s hard to gauge who will be the team’s leading back entering 2024. Elliott can be considered a short-yardage player for Dallas — particularly in the red zone — but he’s past the age where he can be counted on for 25-30 touches a game.
After Elliott, things get complicated for the Cowboys.
Dallas did add Royce Freeman in free agency and has Rico Dowdle returning after a solid year as a backup in 2023. There is also the feel-good story of the 2023 NFL Draft, Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn did not see the field a ton last year but could be given a third-down, receiving-back role if he shows out in camp.
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They may not have the name value they once did, but behind Dallas’ strong offensive line, the RB room could be much better than people give it credit for.