The NFL free agent frenzy has come and gone, and most teams have turned their attention to the NFL Draft, which is now less than three weeks away. The Dallas Cowboys still have a few holes that could be filled by free agents, and today I want to look at a few running backs who could help fill out the depth chart before the NFL Draft.
At the moment, the only running backs on the roster for the Dallas Cowboys are workhorse running back Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, and fullback Jamize Olawale. That isn't going to work when the Dallas Cowboys head into training camp and the regular season.
3 FA RBs Who Could Fit the Dallas Cowboys
They still need to add a back, whether in the NFL Draft or in free agency.
Andre Ellington
Previously of the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, Andre Ellington has made his mark in the NFL as a pass-catching back. However, early in his career with the Cardinals, he recorded two seasons where he rushed for more than 600 yards.
He's averaged nine yards per reception over his career and had 39 and 33 receptions in the last two seasons, respectively. He'd be a good passing-down back who could motion out to the slot at times when the Dallas Cowboys wanted to go with an empty-backfield look.
The Downside to Ellington is that he's 29 years old. Age typically is a telling factor in the production of running backs. The vast majority don't age well.
He'd come cheap and you could have him on a one-year deal.
Charles Sims
A similar type of player to Ellington, Charles Sims actually had a 50-catch season in 2015. He's never had a catch percentage less than 70% and was utilized primarily as a pass catcher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When needed to run the ball in 2015, on more than 100 carries, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
At 6-0, 214lbs, Sims has the size to carry the ball for you, but also has the receiving prowess to be a threat on passing downs.
Shane Vereen
Most recently of the New York Giants, Shane Vereen has had four seasons in which he caught 40 or more passes.
Vereen really made his mark with the New England Patriots as a passing-down option for them. He did contribute to the New York Giants, but they never found the same success with him that the Patriots did.
Now 29, Vereen could still be a formidable passing-down back for the Dallas Cowboys and for his career has averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
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Even if the Dallas Cowboys added a player in free agency, it wouldn't preclude them from drafting a running back like Nyheim Hines (a favorite of mine) in the later stages of the NFL Draft. I would allow for some down the depth chart competition at the running back position.
