There is a lot of pressure on the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2024 season. They have found a lot of success during the regular season under head coach Mike McCarthy, but virtually none in the postseason.
They have won 12 games in three straight seasons, but have zero NFC Championship Game appearances. That is an NFL record and extends the franchise’s drought that goes back since the 1995 season.
The Dallas Cowboys have a good roster, but there is one glaring hole offensively; running back. Tony Pollard departed in free agency and the only addition made was bringing Ezekiel Elliott back after a one-year hiatus.
It is certainly up for debate about how much Elliott has left in the tank. He can offer some value as a short yardage back and in pass protection, but as your No. 1 lead back he leaves something to be desired.
That is why Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has predicted that the Dallas Cowboys will make a change to their backfield. Ballentine doesn’t believe it will take long into training camp before the front office and coaching staff realize and upgrade is needed.
“Dalvin Cook and Kareem Hunt are the most notable names available, but both face the same questions of aging and health as Elliott. They will both be 29 when the season starts…
A trade might make more sense. Dameon Pierce would be a logical target. He had a successful rookie season with the Houston Texans but ceded his role to Devin Singletary last season and the Texans acquired Joe Mixon this offseason,” Ballentine wrote.
Another option that Ballentine suggests is Miles Sanders of the Carolina Panthers. Sanders is someone the Dallas Cowboys are familiar with from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was a big addition for Carolina in 2023, but has quickly fallen out of favor. The team used a second-round pick on Jonathan Brooks out of Texas and Chuba Hubbard remains in the mix.
Getting off his contract is something the Panthers would likely be happy with. The Dallas Cowboys would feel a lot more confident in their backfield with a player of Sanders’s caliber added to the mix.
It is head-scratching that the team’s brain trust has gone this long with the backfield in the condition it is. Dak Prescott thrives when playing off a strong running back, which doesn’t currently exist in Dallas.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here.
Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
