Here are the FA backs for next year. How would you handle the position?

[shabazz]

I would be against franchising Pollard. That would cost us some 12 million per year. Not looking to make the same mistake as we made with Zeke.

I would add that the same mistake was made with Dak. Since they had every intention of signing Dak when they franchised him, they paid more later since the market went up later.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm not changing my tune. Sticking with my answer of cutting Zeke and signing a FA cheap or drafting a RB in the 3rd round next April.

My preference would be get a FA who fits the scheme and use the draft pick at a position of need.

Need more than one back these days.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I would add that the same mistake was made with Dak. Since they had every intention of signing Dak when they franchised him, they paid more later since the market went up later.

True, but they did get the 5th year out of it. So they may make that up on the last year.

 

[fivetwos]

I thought of this before this past draft and was hoping we would spend a mid rounder on one, but it wasn’t to be. Maybe Malik Davis can be that guy.

I wouldn’t extend Pollard, simply because IMO a second contract for a RB is never a good idea.

The 2022 tag number for RBs is 9.5, so figure 10m for a year of Pollard.

Probably not the best allocation of cap dollars but they may be stuck unless they want to sign someone else’s run down player to big money.

Elliott is gone. Foregone conclusion. The teams recent history is very much about moving on from underperforming contracts once the contract details make it sensible.

In the end, the answer to the OP question….

-Sign Pollard to an extremely team friendly deal. If not then tag him.
-Spend a 2023 mid round pick regardless of Pollard.
-If Pollard tagged, use another mid rounder in 24.


I’d rather overpay for a year of Pollard (although the case could be made he earns that money easily as the lead guy) than panic and use a high pick on one. They are just too easy to find in the later rounds, and the need for more than one creates the need ti not overspend for either.

 

[xwalker]

I would love to see the Cowboys take a good young back in the draft, but there are plenty of backs here young enough that could be signed at low cost and make a great tandem for next season.

Barkley and Josh Jacobs are FA's but I am going to assume they are either resigned or they are too expensive.

Kareem Hunt
Jamaal Williams
Rashad Penny
Tony Pollard
Deonte Foreman
Derrell Henderson
David Montgomery
Damien Harris
Alexander Mattison
James Robinson
Miles Sanders

There are other backs, but to me these are the best of them. I actually really like the combination of the power back and the big play back. I just dont like Zeke in that roll for Dallas/Jerry and for 18 million

For the Power back I would either go with Jamaal Williams or Deonte Foreman. I would team one of those with either Pollard or Alexander Mattison.

If Pollard wants too much give me Mattison. Jamaal Williams and Mattison or Deonte Foreman and Pollard. Would love either one of those. Sign them to a 2 year deal and also draft a kid in the 3rd round to round out the RB room. Time to play and have 3 backs on gameday.

The easy option:
Cut Zeke
Franchise Pollard (~9.5M)
Draft a RB

Having said that, the best bargains in free agency are RBs.

RBs cost the least on average of any position (The franchise tag number is the lowest of any position other than kicker/punter).

In a year with a large availability, RB could really be a bargain in free agency.

Whatever option they choose, it should not include paying Zeke 10.9M, which is his salary for 2023.

 

[Maxmadden]

Texas Longhorns RB Bijan Robinson (6'0", 220 lbs, 4.5 40 time), but he will likely go in the top 12.

He will probably get overdrafted.
I would keep an eye on the TCU kid Miller.