For years, the Dallas Cowboys have been heavily scrutinized, whether it be from the roster moves they make to the way they play on the field.
The 2025 offseason is no different after they hired Brian Schottenheimer to be their head coach. Now, with free agency approaching, the Cowboys are predicted to sign a Pro Bowl running back who led the NFL in touchdowns in 2023.
The Cowboys’ Running Back Situation
In the 90s, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four seasons thanks to a ground game that was ranked among the top five league-wide in total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
In 2024, Dallas’ rushing attack was ranked in the bottom five across most key performance indicators: 30th in rushing yards per attempt, 27th in total rushing yards, and dead last in rushing touchdowns.
In nine of 17 games in the 2024 season, the Cowboys rushed for less than 100 yards. In those nine games, Dallas’ record was 3-6. All three wins were by a score or less.
It didn’t help that starting quarterback Dak Prescott was lost for the season after eight starts, though backup QB Cooper Rush provided surprisingly similar performance to Prescott in the passing game (and a better win-loss record).
Rico Dowdle had the best season of his three-year career, leading the team with more than 1,000 rushing yards. Dowdle got off to a slow start, but got hot towards the end of the season. In five of the last seven weeks, the undrafted Gamecock averaged 4.5 rushing yards per attempt while carrying the ball at least 18 times per game.
Dowdle is a free agent, ranked No. 68 on PFSN’s Top 100 Free Agents in 2025. His cap hit was $1.26 million in 2024, but his market value will be $6 million.
Longtime starter Ezekiel Elliott was relegated to backup duty, averaging 3.1 yards per attempt. At Elliott’s request, the team released him, and he was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad for their playoff run.
Deuce Vaughn, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was used sparingly, playing in only seven games (inactive for 10) and totaling only 70 rushing yards. Vaughn is one of two running backs signed to active contracts, the other is 27-year-old Malik Davis. Davis will be a restricted free agent in 2026.
The Cowboys’ offense placed 23rd in PFSN’s 2024 Offense Rankings and given a D+ grade for their efforts. Sterling Xie noted:
“Overall, the Cowboys ranked 28th in passing success rate and 29th in EPA per dropback. Even just isolating the stretch when Dak Prescott was the starting QB, 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.”
One has to think the lack of a ground game contributed to the impotent passing game.
Raheem Mostert: A Perfect Fit?
While Mostert isn’t on PFSN’s list of the top 100 NFL free agents in 2025, the 32-year-old running back enjoyed a sensational 2023 season with the Miami Dolphins after signing a two-year, $5.6 million contract. Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns while amassing 1,012 rushing yards.
In 2024, Mostert restructured his contract, then was supplanted as the starter by De’Von Achane. The 10-year veteran eventually lost touches to rookie Jaylen Wright. Mostert’s steep decline in production, paired with his injury history, led Miami to release him in February 2025.
In his article on the one perfect free agent for each team in 2025 NFL free agency, Jason Camenker wrote:
“The Cowboys are another team with cap issues, and Jerry Jones’ team hasn’t been interested in spending much in recent offseasons. That means they will be bargain-hunting. That makes [Raheem] Mostert a nice fit, as Dallas needs to add a veteran running back to its roster.
“Deuce Vaughn is the only one currently under contract for 2025 and Brian Schottenheimer’s teams have typically skewed run-heavy during his career. Pairing Mostert with a rookie from a loaded class would be an ideal situation for the Cowboys.”
Mostert earned $4.13 million in his final season with Miami and estimates of his market value fall in the range of $2 million-$3 million per year on a short-term deal. While re-signing Dowdle would normally seem like a no-brainer, Dallas has salary cap issues to hash out, making Dowdle’s re-signing less of a certainty and Mostert more of a reality.
Other free agent running back options include 26-year-olds Najee Harris and J.K. Dobbins, and 29-year-old Nick Chubb. Harris is the most expensive with a market value of $9.2 million over three years. Dobbins’ market value is $4 million per year for two years, and Chubb is only $3.2 million for a year.
Salary Cap Considerations
According to Spotrac, Dallas is $2.8 million over the salary cap, the 26th-most space in the league. While the free agent running backs mentioned appear to be affordable, the pool is scarce. Several running back-needy teams with more cap space (like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, or Denver Broncos) can outbid Dallas.
To free up some space under the salary cap, Dallas could restructure CeeDee Lamb’s contract to reduce his cap hit for 2025 to $13.9 million. The Cowboys could even — hold on to your pearls — consider trading Micah Parsons, which saves $24 million and not take on any dead cap.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Offseason With PFSN’s Offseason Manager
Additional savings could happen by releasing big cap hits who will be free agents in 2026. Candidates include safety Donovan Wilson, cornerback DaRon Bland, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, tight end Jake Ferguson, and linebacker Damone Clark.
Given the reluctance to dish Parsons and the required budget to sign draft picks, signing Mostert is the most viable option on the menu.
Alignment With Brian Schottenheimer’s Offensive Philosophy
Mostert aligns with new head coach Schottenheimer’s offensive philosophy. Schottenheimer’s teams have typically favored a run-heavy approach, and he has expressed his commitment to establishing a strong ground game.
In his career, Schottenheimer has twice led the league in rushing as a coordinator: 2009 with the New York Jets and 2018 with the Seattle Seahawks.
Schottenheimer’s first season as offensive coordinator with the Cowboys in 2023 resulted in the top scoring offense in the league, due to a passing attack that was third in yards and first in touchdowns. However, the run game was middle of the road.
In 2024, Schottenheimer was stripped of play-calling duties by then head coach Mike McCarthy. Seeing as McCarthy was fired and Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach, it would seem owner Jerry Jones believes Schottenheimer’s approach could reinvigorate the run game.
Mostert As Mentor for Rookie Draft Pick
The Cowboys are also likely to consider adding a rookie running back to complement Mostert.
The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented running backs, including standouts like Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. Pairing Mostert with a dynamic rookie could create a formidable one-two punch in the Cowboys’ backfield.
Mostert should provide new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams with versatile weapons in the backfield.
With Mostert’s experience and proven ability to find the end zone, paired with the fresh legs of a rookie, the Cowboys could field one of the most dynamic backfields in the NFL for the 2025 season and return to their winning ways.
