The Dallas Cowboys may consider a trade for a running back this offseason and names like Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, Tre Mason, Christine Michael or Knile Davis could be options and this comes as the team could look at free agents like Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Ben Tate, Daniel Thomas or Felix Jones as options for Darren McFadden support.
The Cowboys were expected to add another running back in the draft or in free agency this offseason after losing DeMarco Murray, but so far they have not. According to Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas, head coach Jason Garrett and owner Jerry Jones have said that they are satisfied with the running backs on the roster, but Jones added in an interview that the team is always looking to improve. Jones also said to Fox Sports that the team would consider a trade with a 2016 first round pick if the "right situation" came along and that could mean Peterson or another player.
The Cowboys have long been considered a destination for Peterson, but that went on the back burner after the draft, as the Vikings said they were not looking to trade Peterson. Charles Robinson at Yahoo Sports reports that Peterson "wants out" of Minnesota and if that happens, the Cowboys could be an option. The team also could look at Matt Forte, as he is looking for an extension with the Bears and is coming into the final year of his contract.
Mike Fisher at 103.5 the Fan in Dallas wrote on CowboysHQ.com about the potential of the team trading for a running back, with names like Lamar Miller, Tre Mason and Christine Michael coming up as potential options. Miller is also coming into the final year of his deal and after the Dolphins drafted Jay Ajayi, the team could consider making a move. The Rams drafted Todd Gurley and have already traded one running back with Zac Stacy and now Mason could be a target for the right price. Michael has been a backup for Marshawn Lynch behind Robert Turbin the past couple years, while Knile Davis has been sitting behind Jamaal Charles in Kansas City.
The Cowboys currently have Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams n the roster and they have been working out free agents as well. The team held a workout for Ben Tate and also had in former Cowboys first round draft pick Felix Jones. After that Pro Football Talk reported that the team also gave former Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas a tryout as well. The Cowboys are clearly interested in adding something to the roster at running back, but it remains to be seen if it will be a free agent or through a trade.
Coming into the draft many expected the Cowboys to take a running back, but they did not pick one even in the later rounds. But what happened in the draft could be a prelude to the team making a trade, as Jones pointed out that he feels the team acquired three first round type players through the draft process this year. Jones is referring to Byron Jones, who was the first round draft pick for the team; Randy Gregory, who was taken in the second round but was considered a first round prospect with off the field issues; and La'el Collins, who was a first round prospect but fell out of the draft with off the field questions.