News: DMN: Ten free agent running backs the Cowboys could pursue this offseason

[NewsBot]

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[Alexander]

I love lists like this, especially when most of them worth the investment will not make the open market.

 

[Daillest88]

I love lists like this, especially when most of them worth the investment will not make the open market.

true..but i like Chris Ivory

 

[dcjules]

Lamar Miller, maybe???/

 

[RandyOh]

I hope we can get either Doug Martin or Chris Ivory in free agency so we don't need to worry bout drafting one.

 

[Alexander]

Lamar Miller, maybe???/

You would hope since the Dolphins don't even use him enough.

 

[Sarge]

If forced to, I'd go with Lamar Miller. One of the underrated and poorly used running backs in the league.

 

[Ken]

No one on this list would get me excited for next season.

 

[JeffInDC]

I hope we can get either Doug Martin or Chris Ivory in free agency so we don't need to worry bout drafting one.

Give me Miller before all those guys - turns 25 in April. Even with a 5 year deal, he would only be 29 that last year (if he makes it that far). Never had more than 216 carries, so there should be a LOT of mileage left on those legs. HOME RUN speed. McFadden as your #2 behind this guy would be a really good combo.

 

[Sydla]

Miller would be the guy for me. Maybe Ivory next. Forte is arguably the best of the bunch but at his age and usage, nah..........

 

[Direwolf63]

Interesting they don't mention Turbin. I think he's shown enough that he can contribute in a rotation. And he'd be pretty cap friendly.

Then draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round. Keep McFaddon. And your rotation is complete.

 

[windward]

I think Alfred Morris would excel here.

 

[Bleu Star]

Life after DeMarco Murray hasn't proved to be easy. The Cowboys' best laid plans went astray even as Darren McFadden has revitalized his career in his first year in Dallas. McFadden has proved a reliable, if unspectacular, option. But he and Rod Smith are the only running backs under contract in 2016. So Dallas will be in the market for a player to augment a ground attack that has offered inconsistent returns.

Matt Forte, Chicago

The Chicago running back, who just turned 30 this month, is versatile and productive. But his productivity figures to decline at this advanced stage of his career. After all, there is a lot of tread on Forte's tires. He's already touched the ball 2,474 times since entering the NFL in 2008.

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Chris Ivory, New York Jets

The former undrafted free agent from Longview is on the verge of recording his first 1,000-yard season with the New York Jets. Ivory is known for his punishing running style, which would be valued by a Cowboys team that wants to be more physical than its opponent. How long he'll last becomes the question, however.

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay

Martin, Tampa Bay's former first-round pick, experienced a career resurgence this season. He's a shifty runner who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in 2015. But Martin has a well-chronicled injury history that would have to give some potential suitors pause. At 5-9, is Martin more susceptible to breaking down as he ages and accumulates more wear and tear?

Bilal Powell, New York Jets

Chris Ivory's running mate with the New York Jets is a versatile player. This season, his receiving production has exceeded his output on the ground. If the Cowboys move on from Lance Dunbar, who has had two season-ending knee injuries in his career, they could pinpoint Powell as a replacement. An explosive runner, Powell also is a sturdy blocker. And that skill comes in handy on third-down situations.

James Starks, Green Bay

Starks is a nice complement to Eddie Lacy in Green Bay. Even though he looks like he's a bruiser with a 6-2 frame, he has the burst to slash through a defense. Starks has only started nine games in six NFL seasons, so it would be too much to ask for him to assume a heavy workload with a new team. But he can fill a defined role if the Cowboys choose to roll with a committee of running backs like they did in 2015.

Alfred Morris, Washington

At one point, not long ago, Morris seemed to be on track for a Hall of Fame career. He rushed for 2,888 yards in his first two seasons and became a master of the outside zone stretch play. But Morris hasn't fared as well in 2015 in offensive line coach Bill Callahan's scheme that mixes gap and power-blocking elements with the zone concepts that made Morris a star. Considering that Callahan installed a similar system with the Cowboys before leaving for Washington, would Morris fare well in Dallas?

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Chris Johnson, Arizona

The Cowboys passed on Chris Johnson when their running back committee began crumbling during training camp. It was a miscalculation by Dallas, which had placed its faith in the troubled Joseph Randle. Months later, Randle is out of the league and Johnson has a chance to accumulate 1,000 rushing yards with Arizona. Johnson, who turned 30 this year, has averaged less than four yards per carry in a season only once since entering the NFL in 2008. But so many have written him off in recent years.

Lamar Miller, Miami

Lamar Miller is a name that doesn't jump off the page. But the Dolphins running back has been rather productive when he's been given opportunities. His career average of 4.8 yards per carry is impressive. And the guy has shown he can deliver the big play. The former fourth-round pick of the 2012 draft has scored on touchdown runs of 97 and 85 yards. Miller's one-cut style is tailor-made for Dallas' system.

Ronnie Hillman, Denver

The best thing going for Denver's Ronnie Hillman is that, at 24, he's young enough to give teams the impression that he has room to develop. But Hillman's statistical output the last four seasons isn't terribly encouraging. He has averaged four yards per carry in his career and hasn't shown much as a receiver. Hillman's familiarity with zone blocking could interest the Cowboys, but right now he's not worth a big investment.

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Lmao...

Oh how far we have transitioned from "screw Demarco. This SBBC will work just fine.." to speculation yet again of which FA RB to bring in.

One of the worst decisions in the history of the franchise..... yup.

I would rather draft a RB at this point in time. Then spend the rest of that money on hitting the hard reboot button on every other facet of the offense (not including the oline which has potential but isn't the Mount Rushmore everyone was making them out to be when we lost Demarco).

 

[Alexander]

I think Alfred Morris would excel here.

I don't think he necessarily would. He has been relatively tame since they phased out the read option.

 

[Nexx]

Lamar Miller all the way. Only 24 years old, and for some odd reason Miami doesnt feed him and the few times they have, he has excelled. Home run speed we havent had in a long time. He has a lot of tread left since has used him sparingly. Why would Miami left him go? Ajayi, they invested a 3rd round pick on him.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I am a little more on board with going in for Ezekiel Elliot in the draft.

 

[Hardline]

I will take Elliott or Henry over anyone on that list.

 

[CATCH17]

Draft fresh legs.

 

[wileedog]

Maybe Miller, but prefer to go the draft route.

 

[Sydla]

LOL at thinking not resigning a guy who had 400 carries and has been a total bust to the point he could be running 4th string at some point in Philly is one of the worst decisions in Cowboys history.