CONFIRMED: Cowboys Ultimately Secure One-Year Deal with Premier Available Running Back

At the onset of the week, the leading running back for the Cowboys was Deuce Vaughn, a 5-foot-6 player drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, who only managed 40 yards on 23 carries the previous year.

However, by Monday’s close of business, the Cowboys secured the team’s top remaining running back by re-signing 26 year old fifth year veteran Rico Dowdle to a new one-year contract worth $1.255 million.

Despite Dowdle’s market value estimated at $2 million per year, he accepted considerably less, aligning with the Cowboys’ trend of frugality during free agency.

Their focus has been on finding budget-friendly deals as they prepare for upcoming contract negotiations with key players like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb.

While bringing back Dowdle is viewed positively by Cowboys fans, the circumstances surrounding the move are less favorable. Initially, there was anticipation that the team would seek to upgrade the running back position in free agency.

However, instead of pursuing high-profile names like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, the Cowboys opted for a more passive approach.

This included letting Tony Pollard depart for the Titans in free agency and relying on rookie acquisitions in the NFL draft to bolster the running back position.

Dowdle, who was undrafted in 2020 out of South Carolina, has primarily served as a backup during his tenure with the Cowboys.

Despite injuries limiting his playing time, he showed promise in relief appearances, notably rushing for a career-high 79 yards and a touchdown in a game against the Giants during the 2023 season.

However, his lack of consistent performance leaves uncertainty about his ability to serve as a reliable starter if called upon.