Emmitt Smith held out in 1993 and they replaced him with a 4th round pick because, of course, there are stud RB's in every round.
...except there isn't.
The Cowboys promptly started the season 0-2. Emmitt was resigned just as promptly afterwords.
Keep in mind, this was the Cowboy "dynasty" of the 90's. They were stacked with talent...that couldn't win without Emmitt, who would be the SB MVP that season.
In 2012 the Cowboys went 12-4 with the leading rusher in the NFL, DeMarco Murray. The Cowboys decided to give Dez all the money and sent Murray packing. But not to worry, they had a quality backup in 5th rounderrounder Randle who was raring to set the NFL world ofire.
....except that he wasn't...and he didn't. The Cowboys went 4-12 and Randle's most memorable moment involved the theft of underwear.
Today, the "elite" offensive line is in turmoil as a result of injury, sickness and now age. Now is not the time for Jerry to demonstrate they don't need Zeke...especially since they really really do.