Running back candidates

[Galian Beast]

In thinking about who the Cowboys might be interested in traded for that would be a DeMarco Murray caliber running back, I've narrowed the list down based on cost and performance.

First logically, I don't think they will get anyone that will cost as much as Murray(unless they are significantly better than him), otherwise they would have simply kept him.

List 1 - Running backs who ran for over 1000 yards last year

1. Le'Veon Bell
2. LeSean McCoy
3. Marshawn Lynch
4. Justin Forsett
5. Arian Foster - 6 million in 2015, 6.5 million in 2016
6. Eddie Lacy
7. Jeremy Hill - 761,237 in 2015, 931,855 in 2016
8. Frank Gore
10. Lamar Miller - 1.542 millionm udfa in 2016
11. Alfred Morris
12. Matt Forte - 7.05 million in 2015, udfa in 2016
13. Jamaal Charles - 4.45 million in 2015, 2.75 million in 2016, 3.75 million in 2017


I think there are a few players we can pretty much rule out given their position on the team. Basically if the team is a super bowl contender, they aren't trading their lead back. Players who were just drafted or traded are unlikely. Same with players who just re-signed contracts.

I originally thought Arian Foster would be the perfect fit because of the connection with Pollack, and quite a few of these players like Forte and Charles fit a zone scheme well. Surprisingly you can get a top running back for pretty cheap via trade (especially compared to Peterson).

There is also Jeremy Hill and Lamar Miller. I would say that Miller is more likely since Hill is only in his second year, though with Bernard they have quite the depth at rb on the bengals.

We can expand the search by including players from the previous year.

1. LeSean McCoy
2. Matt Forte
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Alfred Morris
5. Adrian Peterson
6. Marshawn Lynch
7. Ryan Mathews
8. Eddie Lacy
9. Frank Gore
10. Chris Johnson
11. Knownshon Moreno
12. Reggie Bush

You can actually see a lot of consistency on this list, so that immediately cuts out a lot of names, but it also highlights players we haven't shown interest in namely Johnson and Moreno (injured). We also let Ryan Mathews sign with the Eagles... Linehan apparently didn't vouch for Reggie Bush either who went to the 49ers.

It would seem that if they are going to trade for a running back of DeMarco Murray caliber and I'm not sure that would be Miller and I'm not sure Hill would be available, you would be limited to

Foster, Forte, Charles or Peterson.

I'll say that I would be happy to get any of them, but the reality is that all of these players or quite expensive.

Peterson is 30 and said he is willing to renegotiate his contract to play here.

Foster is 28 as is Charles.

Forte is 29.

 

[TrailBlazer]

In thinking about who the Cowboys might be interested in traded for that would be a DeMarco Murray caliber running back, I've narrowed the list down based on cost and performance.

First logically, I don't think they will get anyone that will cost as much as Murray(unless they are significantly better than him), otherwise they would have simply kept him.

List 1 - Running backs who ran for over 1000 yards last year

1. Le'Veon Bell
2. LeSean McCoy
3. Marshawn Lynch
4. Justin Forsett
5. Arian Foster - 6 million in 2015, 6.5 million in 2016
6. Eddie Lacy
7. Jeremy Hill - 761,237 in 2015, 931,855 in 2016
8. Frank Gore
10. Lamar Miller - 1.542 millionm udfa in 2016
11. Alfred Morris
12. Matt Forte - 7.05 million in 2015, udfa in 2016
13. Jamaal Charles - 4.45 million in 2015, 2.75 million in 2016, 3.75 million in 2017


I think there are a few players we can pretty much rule out given their position on the team. Basically if the team is a super bowl contender, they aren't trading their lead back. Players who were just drafted or traded are unlikely. Same with players who just re-signed contracts.

I originally thought Arian Foster would be the perfect fit because of the connection with Pollack, and quite a few of these players like Forte and Charles fit a zone scheme well. Surprisingly you can get a top running back for pretty cheap via trade (especially compared to Peterson).

There is also Jeremy Hill and Lamar Miller. I would say that Miller is more likely since Hill is only in his second year, though with Bernard they have quite the depth at rb on the bengals.

We can expand the search by including players from the previous year.

1. LeSean McCoy
2. Matt Forte
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Alfred Morris
5. Adrian Peterson
6. Marshawn Lynch
7. Ryan Mathews
8. Eddie Lacy
9. Frank Gore
10. Chris Johnson
11. Knownshon Moreno
12. Reggie Bush

You can actually see a lot of consistency on this list, so that immediately cuts out a lot of names, but it also highlights players we haven't shown interest in namely Johnson and Moreno (injured). We also let Ryan Mathews sign with the Eagles... Linehan apparently didn't vouch for Reggie Bush either who went to the 49ers.

It would seem that if they are going to trade for a running back of DeMarco Murray caliber and I'm not sure that would be Miller and I'm not sure Hill would be available, you would be limited to

Foster, Forte, Charles or Peterson.

I'll say that I would be happy to get any of them, but the reality is that all of these players or quite expensive.

Peterson is 30 and said he is willing to renegotiate his contract to play here.

Foster is 28 as is Charles.

Forte is 29.

I don't want to take on those contracts. Let alone give up picks too. AD or roll with what we have.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't want to take on those contracts. Let alone give up picks too. AD or roll with what we have.

Those are pretty small contracts for the type of players they are...

 

[Ashwynn]

Give me Charles, Trade McFadden and Leary for a 3 Tech and call it a day.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Give me Charles, Trade McFadden and Leary for a 3 Tech and call it a day.

Why would anybody trade for McFadden? If anybody wanted him they could have signed him.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Lamar Miller would be my top choice...............just $1.5 million for a 1000 yard back that is 24 yrs old................only down side is he is an UFA after this year so it might be a one year rental like we are doing with Hardy.

Of course if he blows up and gets a big contract offer like Murray did, I guess that is a good problem to have.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Give me Charles, Trade McFadden and Leary for a 3 Tech and call it a day.

And call it a day for our horrible backup OL if Leary is traded.

 

[AzorAhai]

I seriously doubt Charles is available. Foster is injury prone, but for the right price I would be interested. A 4th with unlikely escalators that could trigger it being a 3rd(16 games played, 325 carries or something similar). Still unlikely they trade him. Forte has declined, not interested. Not giving up a 1st for AP. Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard aren't getting traded. Lamar Miller seems very unlikely, but he's probably the most realistic player on this list. Yes he's an UFA after this year, but he's young and doesn't have much wear on his body. I think the Cowboys would have interest extending him early, or re-signing him if they could pull off the trade.

 

[Galian Beast]

I seriously doubt Charles is available. Foster is injury prone, but for the right price I would be interested. A 4th with unlikely escalators that could trigger it being a 3rd(16 games played, 325 carries or something similar). Still unlikely they trade him. Forte has declined, not interested. Not giving up a 1st for AP. Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard aren't getting traded. Lamar Miller seems very unlikely, but he's probably the most realistic player on this list. Yes he's an UFA after this year, but he's young and doesn't have much wear on his body. I think the Cowboys would have interest extending him early, or re-signing him if they could pull off the trade.

Charles would have no dead money involved in his contract for the Chiefs, is getting older, and they only signed him to a two year extension. Do the Chiefs see themselves in the super bowl by 2017? I don't think so. They might want to get value for him while they can.

Foster does have injury concerns, and that is why you have backup running backs.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Chris Johnson or Moreno look like the obvious choices if someone wants a RB with any sort of past success.

Why pay a high draft pick and 6, 7 or 8 mil to a guy when you can get a decent back for far less?

 

[Galian Beast]

Chris Johnson or Moreno look like the obvious choices if someone wants a RB with any sort of past success.

Why pay a high draft pick and 6, 7 or 8 mil to a guy when you can get a decent back for far less?

If the Cowboys wanted either they could have brought them in already. Right now there is talk of a trade for a Murray caliber running back.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If the Cowboys wanted either they could have brought them in already. Right now there is talk of a trade for a Murray caliber running back.

Where is there talk about bringing in a "Murray caliber running back" other than here on these boards?

 

[Galian Beast]

Where is there talk about bringing in a "Murray caliber running back" other than here on these boards?

Broaddus said it.

 

[Alexander]

Broaddus said it.

And?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Broaddus said it.

Now do I believe the Cowboys are 100% certain they have the answer at RB?

No.

I mean how could they be at this point?

BUT, that doesn't automatically meaning dropping a high draft pick and a huge salary (which the club does not have room for at the moment) on an aging player.

S. Jones mentioned that Chris Johnson is on their "short list" of available options.

AND those options aren't likely to be tagged until this club is well into training camp mode and they see what they have with the players on the roster.

 

[JBS]

How about Ronnie Hillman or Montee Ball?

 

[Galian Beast]

And?

What and? You have a source with information based on sources in valley ranch. Whether it comes to fruition or not doesn't change that.

 

[esloan]

Now do I believe the Cowboys are 100% certain they have the answer at RB?

No.

I mean how could they be at this point?

BUT, that doesn't automatically meaning dropping a high draft pick and a huge salary (which the club does not have room for at the moment) on an aging player.

S. Jones mentioned that Chris Johnson is on their "short list" of available options.

AND those options are likely to be tagged until this club is well into training camp mode and they see what they have with the players on the roster.

I wish they would go ahead and work out a deal with Johnson before another team does, if they can do it cheap enough.

Let all of them fight it out in camp. But having Johnson here would certainly make me feel better. Not that they care about that or anything.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I wish they would go ahead and work out a deal with Johnson before another team does, if they can do it cheap enough.

Let all of them fight it out in camp. But having Johnson here would certainly make me feel better. Not that they care about that or anything.

Yeah, I know what you're saying.

I think part of the issue with bringing CJ into the fold now is being able to create enough work for everyone so that they can be judged.

CJ's work in the NFL is right there. He had over 600 yards last season so they know something about the guy.

On top of that, there were a lot of backs drafted and there will be a lot of backs either hitting the streets during training camp or will be made available for a very reasonable cost.

Like everything else the Cowboys have done lately, patience is a big part of the plan.

 

[Ashwynn]

Why would anybody trade for McFadden? If anybody wanted him they could have signed him.

Because were the Cowboys and people want to be us, so when they can get a man that wears the star, they do it, by george.